Indonesia Affirms Strategic Role in Parliamentary Diplomacy Through the 19th PUIC Session in Jakarta

By: Astrid Widia

The 19th Conference of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC) held in Jakarta is concrete evidence of Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening the role of parliament in the international arena. This forum is not only a symbolic stage, but also an important vehicle for strengthening governance and solidarity between member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Since the opening on May 12, 2025 at the Indonesian Parliament Complex, the strategic nuance of this meeting has been strongly felt. Indonesia, through the Indonesian Parliament, has demonstrated mature and inclusive leadership by carrying the theme “Good Governance and Strong Institutions as Pillars of Resilience”. This theme reflects a deep understanding of the global challenges currently faced by Islamic countries.
The standing committee meeting attended by 37 member countries became a space for consolidating ideas and values. The forum’s agenda touches on fundamental issues such as transparency and accountability of parliamentary institutions, crucial issues that are currently of global concern. This shows that PUIC is no longer just a rhetorical forum, but has developed into an arena for concrete cooperation that is oriented towards solutions.
The Chairperson of the BKSAP DPR RI, Mardani Ali Sera, said that this meeting marks Indonesia’s role as the center of parliamentary diplomacy in the Islamic world. This statement reflects Indonesia’s important role, not only as a host, but also as a driving force for the consolidation of ideas for the advancement of global Islamic civilization. He emphasized that this forum must produce a strategic foothold to build shared resilience through strong parliamentary institutions.
One of the main concerns on the first day of the conference was the humanitarian crisis in Palestine. Indonesia voiced its urgency for all OIC parliaments to take concrete action through parliamentary diplomacy. Not only in the form of political statements, but also real support for the international legal process to demand accountability for perpetrators of war crimes.
This commitment is in line with the spirit of the Chairperson of the DPR RI, Puan Maharani, who emphasized the importance of PUIC as a forum for finding real solutions to the global crisis, especially the struggle of the Palestinian people. This effort signifies Indonesia’s consistent position in voicing global justice and the rights of oppressed nations to independence.
In addition to the Palestinian issue, the conference also paid serious attention to strengthening gender equality in member countries. The DPR RI’s efforts to bring the issue of women’s participation to this international forum are worthy of appreciation. This step is in line with the sustainable development agenda (SDGs) and is proof that Indonesia brings inclusive humanitarian values ​​in every diplomatic effort.
Strengthening bilateral cooperation was also an important achievement on the first day of the conference. The meeting between the Secretary General of the DPR RI, Indra Iskandar, and the Secretary General of the Bahrain Parliament, Mohamed Ibrahim Al Sisi Al Buainain, was a reflection of the positive dynamics that developed behind the main event. In the meeting, Bahrain expressed its seriousness in building strategic collaboration with Indonesia, starting from exchanging policy studies to increasing institutional capacity.
Concrete efforts such as the establishment of the Indonesia-Bahrain Bilateral Cooperation Group are also proof that this conference has created a direct impact. Amidst the rapid global challenges, building a productive parliamentary network is one way to maintain stability and expand Indonesia’s positive influence within the OIC.
The presence of more than 500 participants from PUIC member countries shows enthusiasm and great hope for the collective role of Islamic parliaments in responding to the challenges of the times. The trust given to Indonesia as the host reflects its strategic position in the Islamic world. According to international relations observer Anton Aliabbas, this conference is not just a matter of ceremony, but a strategic space for Indonesia to emphasize its role in building global solidarity.
He added that the success of this meeting depends on the ability of each member country to unify views and build a collective spirit. Indonesia’s target for PUIC to produce concrete steps for Palestinian independence and handling the global crisis is very likely to be achieved if this spirit of solidarity continues to be consolidated.
The first day of this conference has succeeded in emphasizing that parliamentary diplomacy is no longer a complement, but rather the main instrument in the chessboard of relations between countries. The Indonesian House of Representatives is utilizing this forum not only to demonstrate national commitment, but also to influence the direction of global policy through a values-based approach, collaboration, and moral courage.