ABU DHABI: UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Abu Dhabi on Feb. 26, 2026, and the two leaders discussed steps to strengthen bilateral ties during Prabowo’s working visit to the United Arab Emirates. The meeting took place at Qasr Al Bahr and focused on expanding cooperation and coordination in areas described by both sides as central to the long-standing relationship between the two countries.
The leaders reviewed cooperation under the UAE-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, with discussions centered on development-related priorities. Topics included the economy and trade, renewable energy, technology, artificial intelligence, sustainability, food security and cultural cooperation. The talks also covered ways to build on existing collaboration between government institutions and to support wider engagement between public and private sector stakeholders in both countries.
Sheikh Mohamed welcomed Prabowo and the two leaders exchanged Ramadan greetings, voicing hopes that the holy month would bring blessings and prosperity to the UAE and Indonesia and contribute to global peace and stability. They also marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, established in 1976, describing the milestone as an opportunity to further expand cooperation in support of mutual prosperity and a relationship grounded in mutual trust and shared interests.
CEPA cooperation priorities
The meeting was attended by Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs, as well as Ali bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for National Security, and Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure. Senior officials from both sides were also present, underscoring the breadth of the agenda and the emphasis placed on translating priority areas into practical cooperation across key sectors.
Beyond bilateral matters, the two presidents exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern. They underscored the importance of reinforcing the foundations of peace and stability at regional and global levels and emphasized support for political solutions to crises in the region and beyond. The discussion positioned the leaders’ engagement as part of a broader diplomatic dialogue that accompanied the economic and development-focused elements of the visit.
Bilateral ties and agreement framework
Diplomatic relations between the UAE and Indonesia were established in 1976, and officials highlighted the 2026 golden jubilee as a marker of continuity in the relationship. The leaders’ discussion referenced the UAE-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement as an organizing framework for expanding cooperation, with the agreement signed on July 1, 2022 and entering into force on Sept. 1, 2023, providing a platform for deeper collaboration across trade and other priority areas.
Sheikh Mohamed noted the continuing progress of UAE-Indonesia relations and reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to advancing development and economic partnership with Indonesia, as described during the meeting. The engagement at Qasr Al Bahr concluded with both sides framing the talks as a continuation of high-level dialogue aimed at strengthening cooperation across agreed sectors and supporting shared objectives for the two countries – By Content Syndication Services.