JAKARTA - Indonesia took over the top job at the UN Human Rights Council on Thursday, January 8, the first time it's held the position since the body started up 20 years ago.

Ambassador Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro, Indonesia's permanent representative to the UN in Geneva, was picked as president during the council's organizational meeting on January 8. He will assume responsibility for managing the agenda for the entire year.

The Asia-Pacific Group nominated Indonesia on December 24 as their candidate. Since it was the nation’s turn in the regional rotation, Sidharto won the position without any competition.

Foreign Minister Sugiono said Indonesia would run things fairly. "Indonesia is committed to carrying out the presidency of the UN Human Rights Council in an impartial, objective, and transparent manner," he said in a statement.

Before taking up his post in Geneva last November, he ran ASEAN cooperation at the foreign ministry and chaired ASEAN senior officials meetings when Indonesia led the group in 2023. He's also done stints as ambassador to India and Bhutan and as deputy ambassador in Washington.

In his opening remarks Thursday, Sidharto told delegates Indonesia has backed the council since it was founded. He pointed out that Indonesia's 1945 constitution lines up with UN Charter principles on contributing to world peace.

Indonesia's billing this as "A Presidency for All," trying to bring different perspectives to the table while keeping things balanced. The timing marks exactly 20 years since the council was set up in 2006.

Indonesia's been on the council six times now and served as vice president twice before, in 2009 and 2024.