UAE Ambassador Highlights Strengthening Ties with Indonesia
Celebrations mark National Day
The 53rd anniversary of the United Arab Emirates’ National Day was celebrated with a vibrant event held at Jakarta’s Raffles Hotel on December 3, 2024.
The evening was infused with cultural performances and the flavors of the Middle East, underscoring the deepening ties between the UAE and Indonesia.
Building on a Strong Partnership
UAE Ambassador Abdulla Salem Al-Dhaheri expressed enthusiastically about his country’s strategic partnership with Indonesia, highlighting its expansion across politics, economics, and trade.
“The volume of non-oil bilateral trade has exceeded $27 billion between 2014 and 2023,” Ambassador Al-Dhaheri stated during the celebrations. He also noted a robust increase in bilateral trade -a remarkable 12 percent – in recent years. This positive momentum has been driven partly by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which has significantly boosted trade between the two nations.
The ambassador also recalled Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s state visit to Abu Dhabi on November 23 and its positive implications. During this visit, President Subianto met with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, culminating in the signing of seven cooperation agreements, mainly focusing on strengthening economic and socio-cultural ties. Ambassador Al-Dhaheri accompanied President Subianto during this important visit.
“We believe that this visit will serve as a crucial stepping stone in elevating UAE-Indonesia bilateral cooperation to unprecedented heights,” he emphasized.
Looking forward, Ambassador Al-Dhaheri expressed that he believes the relationship will continue to grow after Joko Widodo, known as Jokowi, completes his presidency.
“The UAE is always committed to strengthening bilateral relations with friendly countries,” he underscored, emphasizing the UAE’s steadfast dedication to international collaboration.
## A Strong and Cordial Bond
This sentiment was echoed by Indonesia’s Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who attended the celebration. He expressed deep gratitude to the UAE government and notably highlighted the close relationship between the two countries. “The bond between Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates transcends mere political alliances; it is characterized by a warm spirit of brotherhood,” said Vice President Rakabuming Raka.
Several prominent Indonesian officials also attended the event, further showcasing the importance the two countries place on reinforcing their partnership.
Among them were Coordinating Minister for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration, and Law Yusril Ihza Mahendra; Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono; Chair of the National Economic Council Luhut Binsar Panjaitan; Foreign Minister Sugiono and Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian.
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What are specific examples of the “key areas” of collaboration within the UAE-Indonesia strategic partnership?
## Strengthening Ties: An Interview with UAE Ambassador Al-Dhaheri
**Interviewer:** Ambassador Al-Dhaheri, welcome. I wanted to discuss the recent celebrations for the UAE National Day here in Jakarta. It seemed like a truly vibrant event.
**Ambassador Al-Dhaheri:** Thank you for having me. It was indeed a wonderful celebration. We are overjoyed to share our culture and heritage with our Indonesian friends, and events like these truly showcase the strengthening ties between our two nations.
**Interviewer:** The Ambassador mentioned a “strategic partnership” with Indonesia. Can you elaborate on this partnership and its key areas?
**Ambassador Al-Dhaheri:** Certainly. Our partnership with Indonesia spans a wide range of sectors, from politics to economics and trade. We see Indonesia as a crucial partner in Southeast Asia, and our growing relationship reflects that. [[1](https://gulfnews.com/uae/ties-between-indonesia-and-the-uae-are-closer-than-ever-1.1597648906496)]
**Interviewer:** Speaking of trade, you mentioned impressive figures during the celebration. Could you provide some specifics?
**Ambassador Al-Dhaheri:** Absolutely. Non-oil bilateral trade between the UAE and Indonesia exceeded $27 billion between 2014 and 2023. In recent years, we’ve seen a remarkable 12 percent increase in trade volume. This positive trajectory is largely fuelled by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, a testament to our commitment to strengthening economic ties.
**Interviewer:** President Prabowo Subianto recently made a state visit to Abu Dhabi. How significant was this visit in the context of the UAE-Indonesia relationship?
**Ambassador Al-Dhaheri:** President Subianto’s visit was truly momentous. It underscored the strong political relationship between our two countries and presented an opportunity to further explore areas of collaboration.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, what are the key priorities for the UAE and Indonesia in furthering their partnership?
**Ambassador Al-Dhaheri:** We are committed to deepening our economic partnership through increased investment and trade. We also aim to strengthen cooperation in areas such as renewable energy, sustainability, and tourism. The potential for collaboration is immense, and we are confident in a bright future for our strategic partnership.
