On the occasion of the PUIC Silver Jubilee, we would like to know your opinion on the achievements of the PUIC, and what are the prospects for the future of the PUIC?

On this momentous occasion of the PUIC Silver Jubilee, we reflect with deep appreciation on how far our Union has come. Since its founding in 1999, the PUIC has become a strong and united voice for over 1.8 billion Muslims, building lasting bridges between 54 member parliaments and 25 observers across continents. It has championed justice—especially for the Palestinian people—promoted Islamic values, empowered women parliamentarians, and institutionalized meaningful cooperation through dialogue and shared action. These achievements remind us of the PUIC’s vital role as a platform for solidarity, representation, and parliamentary diplomacy in a rapidly changing world.

Today, as we gather in Jakarta to mark this 25-year milestone, the theme “Sound Governance and Strong Institutions as Pillars of Resilience” speaks directly to our collective journey. It is not military power or natural resources that determine a nation’s strength, but the integrity of its governance and the trust built through capable, transparent institutions. The PUIC has shown that through shared knowledge, parliamentary capacity-building, and mutual respect, we can strengthen these pillars across the Islamic world and empower our people through self-reliance and good governance.

Looking ahead, the future of the PUIC must be shaped by unity, adaptability, and a deep commitment to justice. We must continue to raise our collective voice for peace, uphold the rule of law, and strengthen inter-parliamentary partnerships—including across the Global South. Indonesia is proud to host this historic session and remains fully committed to the PUIC’s mission. May this Silver Jubilee not only celebrate our past achievements but also renew our resolve to build a more resilient, inclusive, and united Islamic world—through the strength of our parliaments and the solidarity of our people.

Q: Indonesia, is one of the founding members of the PUIC as well as an active member in the OIC; as speaker of Indonesian House of Representatives, what do you think about the effectiveness of parliamentary diplomacy on strengthening relations between Islamic countries?

A: I would like to say that parliamentary diplomacy is pivotal in fostering stronger relations among Islamic countries. As one of the founding members of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC) and an active participant in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Indonesia recognizes the profound impact of parliamentary diplomacy.

Parliamentary diplomacy—as second track diplomacy—serves as a bridge, connecting nations through dialogue, collaboration, and mutual respect. It enhances communication, allowing us to address common challenges and seize opportunities for collective growth. By working together on legislative matters, we can harmonize our laws and policies, promoting stability and development in the respective OIC member states.

Moreover, parliamentary diplomacy facilitates cultural exchange, building trust and understanding among OIC member nations. Through these exchanges we can reduce misunderstandings and foster a sense of unity. In times of conflict, parliamentary diplomacy provides a platform for negotiation and resolution, helping to mitigate regional tensions and promote peace.

In conclusion, parliamentary diplomacy is a powerful tool for strengthening relations between Islamic countries. It is our duty to continue leveraging this tool to build a future of peace, stability, and cooperation between Islamic countries.

Q: What measures can Islamic parliaments take in order to prevent further aggression against Israeli occupied lands in Palestine?

A: To address the issue of Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory and avoid further aggression, Islamic parliaments and organizations can take an active and strategic role by implementing a variety of diplomatic, political, economic, and social actions. Through PUIC, Islamic parliaments can collaborate to advocate for stronger resolutions at international organizations such as the IPU or United Nations, pushing member states to hold Israel accountable for violations of international law, especially UN resolutions on Palestine. We may advocate for Palestine's recognition as a sovereign state in the international community, encouraging countries to support Palestinian self-determination. Additionally, We can also issue strong and unified condemnations of Israeli actions, such as settlement development and military incursions, as well as help to keep worldwide focus on the subject.

Further, we can also facilitate dialogue between Palestinian factions (e.g., Fatah and Hamas) to achieve greater unity in their political and diplomatic efforts. We can provide assistance to Palestinian political institutions to enhance their governance.

Islamic Parliaments can leverage media and global platforms to raise awareness about the situation in Palestine, countering the narratives that justify the occupation and promoting Palestinian rights. But the key is that we must speak in a unified voice.

Islamic parliaments can also use their power inside the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to exert serious pressure for change. By urging OIC member states to rebalance their diplomatic and economic relations with Israel in exchange for demonstrable progress toward Palestinian independence, they can offer practical incentives for policy changes.

In parallel, Islamic parliaments must work diligently to influence major global powers, particularly the United States and European Union, whose support has often enabled Israel's policies in Palestinian territories. By engaging directly with legislative bodies in these regions and fostering parliamentary diplomacy, Islamic lawmakers can build bridges of understanding that may eventually lead to more balanced policies.

Q: Environmental crises are becoming a major challenge in Islamic countries. Which effective measures can Islamic Parliaments take for tackling these serious challenges?

A: Indeed, environmental crises are major challenges in Islamic countries. The challenges, coupled with climate change's negative impact, have exacerbated the environmental risks further. OIC also estimates that over half of the OIC member countries are highly vulnerable to climate change due to inadequate mitigation and adaptive capacities. It will further impact our food system and other livelihood aspects if we cannot address these situations.

As parliament, we need to create more robust legislation that provides measures to preserve, conserve, and protect our environment and allocate more public spending in those sectors, ultimately addressing the negative impact of climate change. But we understand that this is not easy as many countries are grappling with ways to increase revenue so that we can deliver more public service to our citizens.

There is no one-size-fits-all in terms of what kind of measures are required. But I would strongly encourage us, as parliament, to focus on our roles as the legislative body, especially when it comes to adopting legislation—where we can prioritize any environment or climate sound legislation or allocate budgets to enhance the government interventions to the said issues. Let us also not forget to provide a proper check and balance of what the executive has done so that we can evaluate what proper response is required.

In terms of us, as the community of Islamic Parliaments, we can strengthen our dialogue as a way to share experiences, lessons learned, and best practices on the matters said. PUIC also has a role, for example, in providing bank data on best practices or relevant legislations from the OIC Member Countries' Parliaments.

We cannot rely upon the old ways of the organization only by calling out to address or highlight the urgency of the issues. The PUIC Secretariat is the backbone of this immense work. PUIC Secretariat can develop more contributions on environmental issues through research, a legislation database on relevant matters, or cooperation in capacity building. Let us work our ways more than business as usual to protect the future of our environment and livelihood.

Q: The esteemed House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia will host the 19th session of the PUIC Conference; it is the second time your parliament is hosting the PUIC Conference. How do you evaluate the role of PUIC in bringing Islamic Parliaments closer together?

A: PUIC plays a significant role in bringing Islamic parliaments closer together. Through communication, cooperation, and shared concerns, PUIC has established itself as an important partner in strengthening member states' unity, solidarity, and collective action. It contributes to the political, social, and economic cohesiveness of OIC member states while increasing their worldwide presence and impact.

PUIC also assists member parliaments in advocating for their interests on a worldwide scale, particularly in situations affecting the Muslim world directly, such as Palestine. Further, PUIC strengthens Islamic parliaments' voice and influence in global decision-making processes.

However, in order to continue to adapt to the development of global issues and make significant contributions to the numerous challenges faced by the OIC members, PUIC must constantly reform and upgrade its organizational governance to be more modern, accountable and effective. For instance, it is important to consider discussing new draft resolutions which are more current and in accordance with the context of the challenges faced by OIC countries today. Another example is the maximum use of technology to support information dissemination from the secretariat to member parliaments.

Q: Indonesia is one of the most successful Islamic countries in terms of economic growth. What is the role of Islamic Parliaments in strengthening cooperation and relations and how can they help governments in this field?

A: Indonesia stands as a remarkable example of an Islamic country that has successfully achieved sustainable economic growth while upholding democratic governance. As the largest Muslim-majority democracy, Indonesia’s development trajectory demonstrates the vital role of inclusive policymaking, strategic economic planning, and international collaboration. Within this framework, Islamic parliaments, such as the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC), play a critical role in fostering economic cooperation and strengthening relations among member states.

Islamic parliaments serve as key platforms for intergovernmental economic dialogue and cooperation. Through parliamentary diplomacy, they can facilitate trade agreements, investment partnerships, and knowledge-sharing initiatives that benefit all member states. By fostering legislative alignment, these parliaments help create a more conducive environment for trade, reducing regulatory barriers and enhancing economic integration.

For example, Indonesia has actively promoted trade with fellow OIC countries through preferential trade agreements, reducing tariffs and expanding market access. The Islamic parliament can further support these efforts by advocating for harmonized regulations, fair trade practices, and stronger economic ties through parliamentary resolutions and joint initiatives.

In the meantime, Islamic finance and the halal industry represent two key sectors where Islamic parliaments can play a transformative role. With Indonesia being a global leader in Islamic finance, its parliamentary body has the capacity to champion policies that promote ethical and Shariah-compliant financial systems across the Islamic world. By collaborating with other Islamic parliaments, Indonesia can drive the development of robust financial instruments, such as sukuk (Islamic bonds), which can be leveraged for infrastructure development and sustainable investment.

Similarly, the halal industry has immense potential for economic growth among OIC countries. Islamic parliaments can push for greater standardization, mutual recognition of halal certification, and enhanced trade facilitation mechanisms, ensuring that products and services from member states meet international standards and gain broader market access.

Not to forget, with the rapid digital transformation of economies worldwide, Islamic parliaments must work together to ensure that member states are not left behind in the global shift towards a digital economy. Legislators can support initiatives that promote digital literacy, e-commerce, and financial technology (FinTech) solutions aligned with Islamic principles. Cooperation in this area can empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs), expand access to financial services, and drive innovation across industries.

Additionally, Islamic parliaments have a responsibility to advocate for sustainable development policies, including climate resilience, food security, and energy cooperation. By engaging in joint legislative efforts, parliaments can push for green investments and technology transfer that benefit all member states while adhering to Islamic ethical values.

The role of Islamic parliaments in strengthening economic cooperation and relations among member states is more crucial than ever. By promoting trade agreements, supporting Islamic finance and the halal industry, embracing the digital economy, and ensuring policy harmonization, these legislative bodies can significantly contribute to sustainable economic growth. As Indonesia continues to thrive economically, its parliamentary leadership within PUIC and other forums remains instrumental in shaping the future of Islamic economic collaboration and development.