Exploring the Significance of Sugiono's Meeting with Palestinian Foreign Minister Regarding Board of Peace

Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono met with the Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, to explain Indonesia’s support for Palestine. During the meeting, they discussed Indonesia’s role in the Board of Peace (BoP) to promote the achievement of a just and sustainable peace. International relations expert, Teuku Rezasyah, stated that the meeting was a natural occurrence. He mentioned that several aspects of the meeting’s outcome were not made public. “This dialogue allows both parties to share various issues that are not disclosed to the public. Among these are the considerations and risks Indonesia faces when acting in the UN with idealistic considerations, and when acting in the BoP with realistic considerations,” said Rezasyah when contacted on Wednesday (25 February 2026). Rezasyah believes that Palestine will not be involved because this forum was established by the United States. He stated that Indonesia’s role in the BoP is undoubtedly significant. “Regarding the non-involvement of Palestine in the BoP, this is due to the very idea of the BoP, which was designed by the United States, and therefore appears unfair,” he said. “However, Indonesia’s high global credibility, and its early inclusion in the BoP, will allow Indonesia to influence the course of this BoP organisation. Both in its institutional structure and in its future working practices,” he added. Furthermore, Rezasyah said that the absence of Palestine in the BoP at present does not mean the end of Palestine’s future or the two-state solution. He said that this idealism is, in fact, a policy that Indonesia continues to pursue at the global level, and will also be implemented within the BoP. “The hard work of Indonesia and several member countries of the BoP will allow Palestine in the future to explore opportunities to become a member of the BoP,” he said. Foreign Minister Sugiono Meets with Palestinian Foreign Minister It is known that the meeting between Foreign Minister Sugiono and the Palestinian Foreign Minister took place on the sidelines of the High-Level Segment of the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. In a statement on the official website of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting was held on Monday (23 February). The meeting was considered a strategic moment to exchange views on the developments in the Palestinian peace process and to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries. During the meeting, Sugiono reaffirmed Indonesia’s full support for the struggle of the Palestinian people. Indonesia, he said, is ready to play a more substantial role in promoting the achievement of a just and sustainable peace, including through the Board of Peace and the International Stabilization Force (ISF). Sugiono also welcomed the establishment of a Liaison Office by the Palestinian Authority in order to strengthen coordination with the Board of Peace. On the same occasion, Varsen Aghabekian Shahin specifically appreciated Indonesia’s consistent political efforts in pursuing the interests of Palestine. He also expressed his gratitude for the humanitarian assistance that Indonesia has provided to the Palestinian people. (azh/jbr)