Today marks a significant milestone in the relations between Indonesia and the UAE as President Joko Widodo embarks on a state visit to the Emirates.
This visit highlights the deepening of comprehensive relations, celebrating 47 years of cooperation and friendship between Abu Dhabi and Jakarta.
The visit is set to bolster partnerships in key areas, including nuclear energy, investment, and financial sectors. This follows a historic visit by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to Indonesia in May 1990, which was pivotal in shaping bilateral relations.
H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, underscored the enduring cooperation between the two nations during the UAE-Indonesia Joint Committee in 2023. Over the years, collaboration has spanned energy, renewable energy, tourism, aviation, agriculture, food security, infrastructure, transportation, health, artificial intelligence, education, and culture.
Sheikh Abdullah also highlighted the growth of Emirati-Indonesian ties within multilateral organisations, including the G20, where the two countries have collaborated under Indonesia’s presidency in 2022 and India’s in 2023. Indonesia’s support for the UAE’s sectoral dialogue partnership with ASEAN further strengthens this alliance.
Economically, bilateral trade has exceeded AED100 billion in the past decade. Non-oil trade from 2014 to 2023 reached approximately AED101.91 billion, with a notable increase following the ratification of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in July 2022. This agreement aims to boost non-oil trade to over $10 billion within five years.
Key trade items include jewellery, precious metals, cars, gold, palm oil, and mobile phones. The Mohamed bin Zayed-Joko Widodo International Mangrove Research Centre exemplifies the UAE’s commitment to environmental sustainability, reflecting a $10 million investment in mangrove ecosystems.
The UAE and Indonesia exemplify tolerance, with Indonesia's diverse society of over 17,000 islands and more than 700 languages, and the UAE's global initiatives promoting coexistence and tolerance.
President Widodo's visit not only celebrates past achievements but also sets the stage for a prosperous future, reinforcing the strategic partnership between the UAE and Indonesia in various vital sectors.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
