Indonesia's Widodo on a mission to safeguard progress

In an exclusive interview with The National, the President discusses partnerships and global conflicts ahead of his UAE visit

In the Bogor Presidential Palace south of Jakarta, the staff's faces reflect the calm energy of the 18th-century mansion, with warm smiles from the security personnel to the executive office.

President Joko Widodo is no different. Joking with his staff, he shares this tranquillity. Yet, his mind is racing: he wants to ensure that the reforms and changes his presidency has brought to Indonesia will continue after his term ends this year.

From foreign policy and climate change to the economy and the ambitious project of building a new capital, the leader of this vibrant nation of 280 million is on a lasting mission to forge strategic partnerships to strengthen the progress of his country, and safeguard his legacy.

The UAE, which President Widodo is visiting on Tuesday, stands as a key pillar in this journey.

“The UAE is Indonesia’s strategic partner in the Middle East. Indonesia is also the UAE’s strategic partner in Asia. Therefore, the relationship between the two countries is complementary,” said Mr Widodo in an exclusive interview with The National at the historic palace, once a residence for Dutch governors during the colonial period.

“Moreover, I do have a close relationship with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, strengthening our ties in political, economic and development sectors,” he said on the eve of his fourth visit to Abu Dhabi since he came to power in 2014.

Two years ago, the UAE and Indonesia signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) aimed at turbocharging bilateral trade to $10 billion within five years and promising to unlock the untapped potential of the halal economy. The pact came into force in August 2023.

Indonesia, the world's fourth-most populous country and the largest economy in South-East Asia, has significantly increased its trade value with the UAE under Mr Widodo's leadership. A decade ago, the non-oil trade value was much lower, but it has now risen to $4 billion.

The agreement also seeks to raise the combined value of trade in services between the two nations to $630 million by 2030.

Mr Widodo, the only Indonesian leader to emerge from outside the country's traditional political and military spectrum, is confident that this unique relationship will continue as he seeks partnerships in energy transition and investors for Indonesia's mega projects.

The leader said he looks forward to “seeing the partnership expand into new sectors like the clean energy and electric vehicles and also the new capital Nusantara” located in East Kalimantan on the island of Borneo.

“Nusantara reflects Indonesia's transformation through a new way of working and a new mindset that is smarter, greener and sustainable,” he said, adding that he has invited Emirati investors to visit the site.

Beyond what is written

Home to more than 30 million people in its greater area, Jakarta has long been impacted by flooding worsened by rising sea levels. However, it is not only the capital that faces these dangers; the archipelago is one of the most vulnerable regions in the world to the effects of climate change.

Mr Widodo called for a global commitment to fighting environmental threats.

“Developing Countries need the support from developed countries, including financing and also the technological transfer. And the 10 billion US dollar commitment to climate financing has yet to be implemented. Addressing climate change requires co-operation and commitment beyond what is written on paper.

“We need burden sharing, not burden shifting,” stressed the Indonesian leader known as President Jokowi.

The UAE and Indonesia are also united in the fight against climate change.

In May, it was announced work had begun on a new mangrove research centre in Indonesia, in collaboration with the UAE. Backed by the UAE's $10 million investment, the Mohamed bin Zayed-Joko Widodo International Mangrove Research Centre will be built on 2.5 hectares of land in Bali's Ngurah Rai Forest Park.

The park is already home to more than 1,158ha of mangroves and the research centre was first announced at last year's Cop28 climate change conference in Dubai.

Mr Widodo praised last year's climate conference, saying the “UAE has been successful in leading Cop28, and the team was very efficient in uniting and then acting and delivering".

"It has produced the first mechanism [ …] for climate action, and sustainable partnerships and solutions such as funding through the loss and damage fund."

Led by Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Cop28 President Dr Sultan Al Jaber, the climate conference ended on December 13 last year with a historic agreement known as the UAE Consensus in which close to 200 countries agreed to transition away from fossil fuels in global energy systems along with a huge expansion of clean energy.

The UAE is also set to host a crucial gathering in Abu Dhabi in November, ahead of Cop29 in Azerbaijan, that will seek to focus minds on how artificial intelligence can help in the fight against climate change.

For the businessman turned president, the energy transition shouldn’t be used as “justification to make discriminative policies that obstruct development”.

The same goes for food security, a global challenge intensified by the effects of climate change. Collaboration is crucial, requiring co-operation not only among governments but also within the private sector, said Mr Widodo.

In its long pursuit of partnerships to transform the nation's economy, the Indonesian leader has sought to diversify allies by looking for partners in areas such as the Middle East and Africa.

His strategy aims to broaden economic co-operation and foster development in sectors that are crucial for a nation that has the largest Islamic population in the world.

Competition and rivalry

That is not an easy task when conflicts around the world push to polarise the international community.

In the Middle East, China has bolstered its influence through economic ties and diplomacy, forming strategic partnerships with countries like Iran and Saudi Arabia. The US, which has long-standing alliances in the region, views this expansion with concern and aims to counterbalance it.

“Competition and rivalry are normal. What is important is that it must be managed properly to prevent open conflicts, because war and conflicts harm everyone. The US and China are both good friends of Indonesia. Indonesia implements an independent and active foreign policy, and that does not take sides,” said Mr Widodo.

He called for a “transformation based on the spirit of multilateralism and collaboration including by pushing for UN reform to regain international trust. International law must be upheld without discrimination, and cannot be a double standard”.

Asked if the G20 could be the best format for international governance amid the divisions and weaknesses of the UN Security Council, he said that it is not “the right forum to resolve political and security issues that fall under the UN. This is why a UN reform is urgently needed”.

One of the biggest conflicts causing division on the world stage is the current war in Gaza, where Israeli bombardments have killed more than 38,400 Palestinians since the Hamas attacks on October 7 that killed about 1200 Israelis. The ravaging war in the besieged Palestinian territory has drawn condemnation around the globe, with countries calling for an immediate ceasefire to stop the bloodshed.

“The real cause of the Palestinian issue is the Israeli occupation,” stressed Mr Widodo.

“The root cause is there. That can only be resolved if the root cause is resolved: an independent Palestine. Therefore, Indonesia continues to push for a two-state solution and a full membership for Palestine in the UN.

“We need to immediately ensure a ceasefire and then the delivery of humanitarian assistance. We all have a responsibility to make this happen.”

The other major conflict with global implications is the war between Russia and Ukraine, in which Indonesia has tried to help bring a peaceful resolution. Mr Widodo said he had spoken to the leaders of the two countries in 2022 and sent last month a representative to Ukraine.

“It is a difficult conflict,” said Mr Widodo, adding that Indonesia continues to push for peace “using the capacity we have”.

The world is also on edge ahead of the US presidential elections, and tensions escalated last week when former president Donald Trump was shot in the ear during a rally in Pennsylvania. The assassination attempt resulted in one fatality and two injuries.

“I am very surprised with that incident. It's not good for democracy, not only in the US but in all other countries,” said Mr Widodo.

One additional task

President Widodo is due to step down this year at the end of his second and final term.

He will be succeeded by Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto, who previously lost two presidential races to him. The wealthy former general chose Mr Widodo's young son as his running mate after an exception created by the top court that allows current and former regional governors to run at 35.

However, the former furniture businessman faces an additional task: ensuring that the growth and stability he has brought to the nation, continues.

“People’s trust is my priority because, without the people's trust, a leader cannot do much. I'm not an elite party member. I come from a very humble background, therefore, people's support and trust are my sources of strength.”

“Going forward, I hope the transformation that we have conducted for the past decade can continue and enable Indonesia to become an advanced nation.”

For the leader known for visiting local markets and forming friendships with ordinary citizens, the future “will not be an easy era, for all countries, not only for Indonesia”.

“Challenges of geopolitical and global tensions. Threats of food and economic crises. Impacts of climate change and technological disruption. But amid increasingly complex challenges, I see that Indonesia has a good opportunity to make a leap.”