Sheikh Mohamed receives Indonesian President in Abu Dhabi for state visit

President Sheikh Mohamed received Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

Agreements were signed aimed at expanding bilateral co-operation in the public and private sectors, state news agency Wam reported. The agreements include the areas of technology, renewable energy, health care, tourism and culture, mining, infrastructure, government modernisation and development, as well as investments and international shipping.

Sheikh Mohamed expressed his hope that the visit would open new avenues for collaboration, building on decades of enduring friendship and strategic partnership between the two nations. The leaders also explored opportunities for collaboration in sectors including food security, climate action, education and sustainable agriculture.

The meeting covered the deep ties between the UAE and Indonesia, and the presidents reviewed regional and international issues of mutual concern. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to multilateral international efforts to address global challenges.

They discussed a shared approach to promoting peace, stability, and resolving crises through peaceful means at regional and global levels. President Subianto thanked Sheikh Mohamed for the warm welcome afforded to him and his delegation.

Warm welcome

Mr Subianto arrived in Abu Dhabi for the state visit on Saturday morning. His plane received an escort from military jets as it entered UAE airspace and the Indonesian leader was greeted on arrival by Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.

Mr Subianto's motorcade was met by a procession of riders on camels and Arabian horses, with traditional Emirati cultural performances in celebration of the visit. Sheikh Mohamed accompanied Mr Subianto to inspect the guard of honour and witness performances of both national anthems.

The ceremony included a 21-gun artillery salute, with the visiting delegation welcomed by Emirati children waving the flags of both countries. The state visit concluded with Mr Subianto leaving Abu Dhabi on Saturday evening.

The UAE and Indonesia have long-standing ties. Two years ago, the nations signed an agreement to increase bilateral trade to $10 billion within five years. Since that deal was agreed, Indonesia, the largest economy in South-east Asia, has significantly increased its trade volumes with the Emirates. A decade ago, non-oil trade was significantly lower, but has since risen to $4 billion.

UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, visited Indonesia in 1990, a tour which was viewed as pivotal to relations between the two countries.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, emphasised during his chairing of the UAE-Indonesia Joint Committee in Abu Dhabi in 2023 that the two countries have co-ordinated closely in vital sectors such as renewable energy, tourism, aviation, agriculture, food security, infrastructure, transportation, health, artificial intelligence, education and culture.

In July, Mr Subianto's predecessor Joko Widodo also made a state visit to the UAE, where he received the Order of Zayed for his efforts in strengthening UAE-Indonesian relations.

Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'

Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.

Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.

"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.

"It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.

"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."

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