Indonesia Inaugurates 19th PUIC, Leading Parliaments Towards Strategic Partnerships and Global Peace
By: Abdullah Gani
Indonesia has once again reaffirmed its strategic role on the international diplomatic stage by hosting the 19th Conference of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC), held from May 12 to 15, 2025, at the Parliamentary Complex in Jakarta. This forum is more than just an inter-parliamentary gathering—it is a pivotal event uniting Muslim-majority nations to address global challenges and formulate joint solutions rooted in the principles of justice, solidarity, and peace.
The 19th PUIC Conference was officially opened on May 14, 2025, by the Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Puan Maharani. Chairman of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (BKSAP), Mardani Ali Sera, confirmed that President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, also attended the conference and conveyed a strong message: Indonesia is ready to be a bridge for nations across the globe toward shared prosperity and peace. President Prabowo also emphasized the importance of good governance and resilient institutions as the foundation of global stability. His presence signified Indonesia’s deep commitment to advancing cooperation among Muslim countries.
For Indonesia, hosting this conference is a significant honor. Speaker Puan Maharani expressed her pride in welcoming parliamentary delegations from OIC countries to Jakarta. She also called on participants to collectively condemn all forms of violence against Muslims—not only in Palestine but also in other regions such as India and Pakistan. She reiterated the DPR’s commitment to ensuring the success of this conference and urged PUIC to take an active role in building a just, peaceful, and prosperous world, reflecting Islam’s message as rahmatan lil alamin (a mercy to all creation).
The conference addressed a wide array of crucial issues, including the Palestinian struggle for independence, protection of Muslim minorities, interfaith dialogue, climate change, green economy, human rights, and the empowerment of women and families. This forum served as a strategic space for voicing the Islamic world’s collective concerns over global injustices while reaffirming Indonesia’s consistent advocacy on humanitarian issues.
Vice Chair of BKSAP, Irine Yusiana Roba Putri, highlighted that the international community’s trust in the Speaker of the House as PUIC President reflects Indonesia’s highly regarded position on the world stage. One of Indonesia’s key priorities at the forum is the push for Palestinian independence, which can be more effective when championed collectively by OIC member states.
Beyond humanitarian issues, the 19th PUIC also fostered tangible bilateral cooperation. Speaker Puan’s meeting with Deputy Speaker of the Czech Parliament, Jan Skopeček, demonstrated how the conference can broaden interregional partnerships. The DPR RI promoted stronger Indonesia–Czech relations, particularly in green economy, carbon trade, and defense cooperation through technology transfer and academic collaboration. A potential sister city agreement between Yogyakarta and Hluboká nad Vltavou was also discussed, highlighting rich cultural and historical diplomacy.
The benefits of hosting the 19th PUIC are substantial for Indonesia. Diplomatically, Indonesia’s leadership role enhances its credibility and strategic influence as the world’s largest Muslim-majority democracy. Economically, the forum opened new avenues for cooperation in trade, green energy, and defense technology—producing real impacts for national development. Moreover, the event promoted Indonesia as a country that upholds tolerance, diversity, and cross-national collaboration.
Indonesia’s active involvement in PUIC also underscores the evolving role of parliaments in diplomacy. BKSAP Chairman Mardani Ali Sera explained that the conference spotlighted several strategic themes, including Palestinian independence, youth and women’s participation, and sustainable development. The overarching theme—Good Governance and Strong Institutions as Pillars of Resilience—aligns with Indonesia’s vision of building national and global resilience through sound governance and robust institutions.
Beyond all, the 19th PUIC marks a critical milestone in positioning the Indonesian parliament as a global diplomatic hub. Through this forum, Indonesia not only articulates its national interests but also serves as a voice for the Islamic world on global issues of peace, justice, and human welfare. The conference has also become a platform to garner international support for Indonesia’s stance in multilateral negotiations and expand its strategic partnerships with non-OIC countries.
By hosting the 19th PUIC, Indonesia has demonstrated that the power of diplomacy is not exclusive to the executive branch—parliamentary diplomacy is equally vital. In a world facing major challenges—from humanitarian crises to climate disruption and geopolitical tensions—this conference proves that parliamentary diplomacy can serve as a bridge toward a more peaceful and equitable world. Guided by the spirit of gotong royong (mutual cooperation) and a strong commitment to global peace, Indonesia once again asserts that global leadership is a responsibility borne with vision and real action.
The author is a foreign policy observer.
