Key deals made as President Sheikh Mohamed holds talks with Indonesia's Joko Widodo

Leaders agree to bolster co-operation in renewable energy, climate change and boost global education in meeting at Qasr Al Watan

President Sheikh Mohamed receives Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia during a state visit reception at Qasr Al Watan, Abu Dhabi. Photo: Ryan Carter / Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Widodo hold talks at Qasr Al Watan. Photo: Abdulla Al Neyadi / Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed stands for the national anthem. Photo: Abdulla Al Neyadi / Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed stands side by side with Mr Widodo, who is on a two-day visit to the UAE, as the national anthems are played. Photo: Abdulla Al Neyadi / Presidential Court

The Indonesian President shakes hands with an Emirati dignitary during the state visit reception at Qasr Al Watan. Photo: Ryan Carter / Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Widodo are keen to bolster strategic ties between the friendly nations. Photo: Ryan Carter / Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed listens as Mohamed Abdullah Al Junaibi, chairman of the Federal Protocol and Strategic Narrative Authority, speaks to Mr Widodo. Photo: Ryan Carter / Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Widodo enjoy a reception meal. They are pictured with Mohamed Al Abbar, chairman of Eagle Hills, a UAE real estate development company. Photo: Abdulla Al Bedwawi / Presidential Court

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court; Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed; Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council; Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, Chairman of the Office of Development and Martyrs’ Families Affairs at the Presidential Court; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; and Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad are among those in a group photo from the event. Photo: Abdulla Al Bedwawi / Presidential Court

Dr Amna Al Shamsi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment; Mohamed Al Suwaidi, Minister of Investment; Abdulla bin Touq, Minister of Economy; Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; Mohamed Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs; Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; Ali Al Shamsi, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for National Security; and Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad, Adviser for Special Affairs at the Presidential Court, stand for the national anthem at Qasr Al Watan. Photo: Abdulla Al Neyadi / Presidential Court

Traditional performers participate in the state visit reception. Photo: Ryan Carter / Presidential Court

The Al Forsan aerobatic team performs a flyby in the sky over Qasr Al Watan. Photo: Omar Al Askar / Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed bids farewell to Mr Widodo following the state visit reception. Hamad Al Kaabi / Presidential Court

President Sheikh Mohamed on Wednesday hailed Indonesian President Joko Widodo's state visit to the UAE as the culmination of sustained efforts to deepen ties between the nations.

Sheikh Mohamed praised Mr Widodo's contributions to bolstering ties as the two leaders witnessed the signing of agreements aimed at furthering co-operation across the environment, tourism and renewable energy during talks in Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Mohamed reflected on Mr Widodo's "tireless efforts" to foster closer links between the UAE and Indonesia during his decade-long presidency.

He said high-level discussions had explored ways for the allies to expand economic partnerships and join forces to combat climate change and improve global education.

The Indonesian President will leave office in October at the end of his second and final term.

"We explored opportunities to further expand our economic partnership, boost collaboration in key development areas, enhance climate action efforts, and advance global education initiatives," Sheikh Mohamed said on X, formerly Twitter.

"I extend my sincere thanks to President Widodo for his tireless efforts during his time in office to strengthen the bonds between our two nations."

Mr Widodo concluded his visit on Wednesday, state news agency Wam reported.

Sheikh Mohamed earlier hosted Mr Widodo at an official reception at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Widodo inspected a guard of honour and witnessed renditions of the UAE and Indonesian national anthems.

The ceremony also featured performances by Emirati folk groups, a 21-gun artillery salute and a fly-past by the UAE's Al Fursan aerial display team, which lit up the sky with a trail of smoke in the colours of the Indonesian flag.

Indonesian leader honoured

Sheikh Mohamed presents the Order of Zayed to Mr Widodo at Qasr Al Watan. Photo: Abdulla Al Bedwawi / Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed presented Mr Widodo with the Order of Zayed for his efforts in strengthening UAE-Indonesian relations.

It is considered the highest civilian honour in the UAE and is bestowed upon world leaders and heads of state.

Sheikh Mohamed said the award was testament to Mr Widodo's valuable contribution to advancing relations.

During the ceremony, Sheikh Mohamed also presented the Order of the Union to Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Indonesia’s Co-ordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment for his work to boost ties.

An Emirati welcoming party at the reception included Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court; Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and a number of other ministers and senior officials.

Mr Widodo was accompanied by a delegation of leading Indonesian ministers and officials.

Building on decades-long friendship

Mr Widodo's visit is a landmark moment in a long-standing friendship spanning 47 years.

UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, visited Indonesia in 1990, a tour which was viewed as pivotal to relations, Wam said on Tuesday.

The allies already enjoy close links across various fields, including trade, investment and the environment.

Discussions between the two leaders centred on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (Cepa) signed between the countries in July 2022, which is crucial to joint efforts to advance sustainable development.

Sheikh Mohamed said on Wednesday the agreement was a major milestone in a growing economic partnership.

Non-oil trade between the two countries from 2014 to 2023 reached Dh101.91 billion ($27.75 billion), with consistent growth in recent years.

The Cepa is projected to increase non-oil trade to more than $10 billion within five years, from about $3 billion in 2021.

Key tenets of the strategic partnership, which came into force last August, include reducing or eliminating tariffs on various goods and services and working to create new opportunities for exporters and businesses from both countries.

Deals struck during visit

The UAE and Indonesia finalised an agreement to install solar energy systems on industrial and commercial rooftops in Indonesia and to co-operate on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

The countries also agreed to a partnership on a public budget management plan and to develop smart banking systems.

The UAE Presidential Court and the Indonesian Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Investment will establish the Joko Widodo Mangrove Research Centre in Bali, Indonesia.

Indonesia's Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises and Eagle Hills Properties will work in tandem in real estate development, tourism investment and the management of airports and hotels.

A framework agreement was also made on the development of a maritime patrol aircraft.

Mr Widodo left the UAE on Wednesday afternoon. He was seen off at the Presidential Airport by Sheikh Khaled.