Cultural Diplomacy and Tourism in the Spotlight at PUIC 2025, Indonesia-Tunisia Prepare Parliamentary Visit
The 19th Conference of the Parliamentary Union of OIC Member States (PUIC) held in Jakarta is an important momentum for strengthening inter-parliamentary diplomacy, including between Indonesia and Tunisia.
Deputy Chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Agency (BKSAP) of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Husein Fadlulloh, said that the two countries are committed to increasing cooperation, especially through culture and tourism.
“Earlier, there was actually an idea regarding cultural diplomacy through digital. So digitalization of culture. Because indeed, for the issue of distance, it is rather difficult for us to avoid it,” said Husein after meeting the Tunisian parliamentary delegation.
Husein emphasized the importance of strengthening the understanding of the people of the two countries through cultural exchanges facilitated by their respective embassies. He also proposed tourist exchanges as an effort to strengthen relations between nations.
“If there is a student exchange, we might have a tourist exchange. Later, those from there will be given the opportunity to come to Indonesia for free, maybe… and from Indonesia to there, some costs will be covered,” he explained.
The Gerindra politician also said that BKSAP together with the Indonesia-Tunisia Field Cooperation Group (GKSB) are preparing a return visit to Tunisia this year.
“Earlier, we also had a meeting accompanied by the Chairperson of the Indonesian GKSB for Tunisia. And they have indeed planned a visit,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, BKSAP Chair Mardani Ali Sera, who was also present at the PUIC forum, highlighted global issues such as Palestine and other conflicts.
“Earlier, three Palestinian issues were discussed, plus ten resolutions on minorities. Everything was discussed carefully… and diplomatic steps that must be taken were designed,” he said.
According to Mardani, the spirit of humanity and solidarity was very much felt in this forum. “The spirit of humanity and the spirit of solidarity were very apparent from all the representatives present,” he said.
For information, PUIC or Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States is a parliamentary cooperation forum of member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
This forum was formed in 1999 with the aim of strengthening political, economic, and social solidarity between OIC member countries. The 19th PUIC this year reaffirms the role of parliamentary diplomacy in voicing humanitarian issues and strengthening collaboration across member countries, including through bilateral cooperation such as that carried out by Indonesia and Tunisia.
