Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are actively discussing a range of strategic economic cooperation projects as they approach the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year. The discussions took place on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, where Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, met with the UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure and Special Envoy to Indonesia Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei to identify concrete initiatives that can be pursued immediately. Key areas of focus include oil and gas investments, waste-to-energy development, and expanding the data center industry — an increasingly important sector in the era of artificial intelligence due to its large computing and energy demands. Both countries also considered linking the growth of data centers to renewable and clean energy sources, reflecting the UAE’s emphasis on sustainable development. Beyond energy and technology, Indonesia could leverage its geographic position as a hub for ASEAN distribution, while the UAE could serve as a gateway for Indonesian products into the Middle East and Africa, reinforcing the mutual benefits of enhanced cooperation.
The discussions aim not only to outline high-level commitments but to ensure tangible, actionable outcomes. Indonesia’s Ambassador to the UAE, Judha Nugraha, emphasized the need to translate these commitments into real projects that will deepen bilateral ties. Investment data from Indonesia’s Ministry of Investment shows that UAE investments in Indonesia have grown considerably — from about USD 32.73 million in 2024 to USD 88.14 million in the third quarter of 2025 — spanning sectors such as electricity, machinery, manufacturing, and services like hotels and mining. The strengthening of cooperation in energy, technology, logistics, and other strategic sectors is expected to open up new opportunities and drive economic benefits for both countries ahead of this significant diplomatic milestone.
