Portrait of Joko Widodo
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Joko Widodo on United Arab Emirates

Diplomatic economic partner (strong)

TL;DR

Joko Widodo actively pursues strong bilateral ties with the UAE, focusing heavily on economic investment, especially in energy and infrastructure.

Key Points

  • The President discussed four key bilateral issues during a meeting with the UAE President in 2024, including investment, energy, trade, and regional issues.

  • Joko Widodo brought back cooperation agreements concerning the development of the new capital city, IKN, and nickel industry investment following a visit to Abu Dhabi.

  • The Indonesian President and UAE President stressed the importance of dialogue and coordination on regional and international developments during a meeting around March 2024.

Summary

President Joko Widodo maintains a robust and positive strategic partnership with the United Arab Emirates, frequently engaging in high-level diplomatic visits to foster closer economic cooperation. His core position centers on leveraging the relationship to attract significant foreign direct investment into Indonesia's key sectors, such as the development of the new capital city, IKN, and the critical nickel industry supply chain. These efforts underscore a pragmatic approach to foreign relations, prioritizing tangible economic outcomes through frequent high-level exchanges and mutual agreements with the UAE leadership.

The relationship has been characterized by mutual respect and frequent high-level meetings, particularly with the UAE President, highlighting a deepening of ties beyond mere trade to strategic collaboration. The focus on investment is a recurring theme in his bilateral discussions, positioning the UAE as a crucial financial partner for realizing major Indonesian national projects and bolstering economic resilience. This sustained engagement signifies the UAE's importance in Indonesia's broader foreign policy and economic development strategy.

Key Quotes

“It is a recognition and an honor, not only for me, but for Indonesia.”

“The two countries are getting closer across all fields, be it economy, education to the relations between the two leaders. We are so close that we have the Jokowi Street in Abu Dhabi, the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed flyover in Indonesia,” Jokowi wrote on the social media platform X during the Joko Widodo Mosque's launch last December.

Frequently Asked Questions

Joko Widodo's main focus is cultivating strong economic ties with the United Arab Emirates. He actively seeks to attract significant foreign direct investment from the UAE into key Indonesian projects. This often includes discussions about the development of the new capital city and energy sector cooperation.

Yes, the Indonesian President has met with the UAE President recently for state visits and bilateral discussions. These meetings serve to reinforce the positive strategic partnership between the two nations. They typically address areas like trade, energy, and regional stability.

The President has specifically pursued investment in Indonesia's nickel cooperation and the development of the new capital, IKN, with the UAE. These areas represent major national priorities for the Indonesian government. He often returns from such trips with cooperation agreements in hand.