Jakarta, 15 August 2025: The final day of the ERIA School of Government’s commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Aceh Peace Agreement brought together key figures of Indonesia who played a direct role in securing this historic settlement. Amongst them was the 6th President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), who oversaw the entire process of negotiations, reconstruction and the implementation of the agreement signed on 15 August 2005.

The Aceh Peace Agreement is recognised globally as one of the most inclusive, transparent, and swiftly implemented peace accords. Within months, critical measures – from troop withdrawals and ceasefire monitoring to the reintegration of former combatants – were underway. This success was rooted not only in the negotiation process but also in lessons learned beforehand.  Careful planning, disciplined management of state institutions, and the bold inclusion of regional and international partners proved decisive. The joint mechanism between the Government of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), overseen by the Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM), struck a delicate balance, while the establishment of the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency (BRR) as a joint project between the Acehnese and Indonesians fostered trust.

It was also a rare case where high-level diplomacy, political will, and broad public support aligned towards a common goal. Trust built between the parties paved the way for the transition from ‘bullets’ to ‘ballots,’ ending decades of armed conflict in the province.

SBY recalled that one of the greatest challenges was ensuring that all parties remained committed to the ceasefire. ‘We established a joint mechanism involving international monitors and integrated both civilian and military coordination. This success demonstrates that well-designed implementation is just as important as the negotiations themselves,’ he said.

ERIA President, Tetsuya Watanabe, emphasised that Aceh offers valuable lessons for the world. ‘We should not forget that we need peace to prosper, we need peace to innovate, we need peace to dream of the future. The Aceh peace has brought stability to the entire region. Many countries can learn that sustaining peace requires the commitment of all parties long after the ink on the agreement has dried,’ he noted.

Dean of the ERIA School of Government, Prof. Nobuhiro Aizawa, stressed the importance of carrying Aceh’s lessons forward. ‘Aceh shows that peace is achievable even after decades of conflict and devastating disaster. It proves that hatred can be turned into trust. This has been proven by the great leaders and people of Indonesia and Aceh. But peace is never finished – we must ask how to sustain it for the next 20 years. Now is the time to appreciate and study this remarkable achievement so we can work together to preserve it for the future,’ he said.

The event concluded a 3-day commemoration that brought together national leaders, international partners, academics, journalists, and civil society representatives to reflect on Aceh’s peace journey. It served as both a reminder of the past and a call for continued co-operation to ensure that Aceh’s peace and prosperity endure.