Jakarta, 14 August 2025: Twenty years after the signing of the Aceh Peace Agreement, the contributions of academics, the media, and civil society organisations remain vital to sustaining and strengthening peace. The participation and commitment of ASEAN partners were equally instrumental – instilling confidence in the region and reinforcing the shared responsibility for peace.

ASEAN’s dedication to the peaceful settlement of disputes and the maintenance of regional stability was exemplified by its active role in neutral monitoring through the Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM). At the same time, the often-overlooked roles of scholars, journalists, and community leaders have been pivotal in shaping public perception, building trust, facilitating mediation, and promoting sustainable reconciliation. These combined efforts not only supported the peace process in its early days but continue to underpin its success today.

This was the focus of the second day of the 20th Anniversary of the Aceh Peace Agreement forum, organised by the ERIA School of Government in Jakarta.

Opening the session, Prof. Nobuhiro Aizawa, Dean of the ERIA School of Government, emphasised that Aceh’s peace is a living achievement requiring continuous stewardship. Reflecting on its global significance, the decisive moments that shaped its outcome, and the need to prepare future generations to sustain trust, he noted: ‘We cannot take peace for granted. To secure the next 20 years, we must understand how trust was built – and work together to strengthen it.’

The day’s discussions began with General Nipat Thonglek, Former Deputy Head of the AMM, who underscored how a neutral monitoring presence fostered confidence during the fragile post-agreement years: ‘We were not just observers; we acted as a bridge, ensuring that commitments to peace were honoured on the ground.’

From the civil society perspective, Dr Ahmad Humam Hamid, Professor at Syiah Kuala University and Board Member of BRR, described how community organisations advanced mediation, inclusive dialogue, and reconciliation. These grassroots initiatives, he noted, embedded peace into daily life, making it more resilient.

The media’s role was highlighted by Arif Zulkifli, Deputy Director of Operations at Tempo Inti Media, who observed that journalism not only records history but also shapes public understanding. In Aceh, he said, the press has kept the peace narrative alive long after global attention shifted elsewhere.

Finally, Yuhki Tajima, Associate Professor and Director at Georgetown SFS Asia Pacific, underlined the importance of research in sustaining peace. Data and analysis, he noted, help identify what works, what requires refinement, and how lessons from Aceh can inform peacebuilding elsewhere.

A lasting legacy of the agreement is the integration of peace studies into the curricula of several Aceh universities – equipping young people with both historical awareness and practical tools to preserve harmony in the future.

Through this forum, the ERIA School of Government reaffirms its role as a bridge for sharing ideas, experiences, and strategies to advance inclusive peace. The commemoration serves as both a celebration of past success and a call to action to ensure that Aceh remains peaceful and prosperous in the decades ahead.