February 19, 2026 | 08:16 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia will lead the regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UN HRC) for the first time during its 61st Session in Geneva, Switzerland. This marks the initial implementation of Indonesia's role after officially assuming the Presidency of the 20th UN HRC on January 8, 2026.
Director of Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indah Nuria Savitri, said the session is a vital momentum for Indonesia.
"So, in this 61st HRC session, it will be the first time that we lead the regular session of the HRC as the 20th President of the HRC," she said in a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office, Central Jakarta, on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
The current Indonesian presidency is held by the Permanent Representative of Indonesia in Geneva, Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro, who is tasked with leading the session and the internal processes of the Council throughout 2026.
High-Level Forum and Global Agenda
The 61st session is a regular HRC forum held every March and August. Indah explained that this meeting is accompanied by a high-level segment attended by ministerial-level officials or higher. "Of course, this time, as with the regular sessions in August and March, this session already has a high-level segment which will be attended by dignitaries, so usually the level is at or above the ministerial level," she said.
According to Indah, the discussions during the session will reflect various issues that are currently the focus of the world. Global dynamics influencing efforts to advance and protect human rights are expected to color the course of negotiations. "This session takes place amid so many dynamics, especially in issues of advancing and protecting human rights, and what is of international concern will usually be reflected in the negotiation process," she said.
Indonesia's Multilateral Role
The government hopes that the UN HRC will continue to fulfill its function optimally as the main platform for the global discussion of human rights issues. Indonesia also emphasizes the importance of maintaining the institution's integrity. "We hope that the HRC, as the main UN platform discussing global human rights issues, can maintain its credibility, consistency, and also effectively and efficiently discuss various related issues," said Indah.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs considers Indonesia's position as the president to open strategic opportunities to strengthen multilateral diplomacy. Through this leadership, Indonesia seeks to promote more dialogical, constructive, and inclusive-based global human rights governance.
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