Ichsan Ali, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has completed a six-day diplomatic tour to Japan, the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands, underscoring Indonesia's rising global presence. The tour, which began on Sept. 19, coincided with the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Indonesian Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said Friday in Amsterdam that Prabowo's visit to Japan included a stop at the Indonesia Pavilion at Expo Osaka 2025, where investment commitments totaling $23.8 billion (approximately Rp 380 trillion) were recorded. Details of the agreements were not disclosed.
In the United States, Prabowo delivered his UN General Assembly debut speech, addressing global food security and Indonesia's achievements in rice self-sufficiency. He emphasized that Indonesia's surplus positions the country as a potential major grain exporter. Prabowo also announced Indonesia's willingness to formalize relations with Israel, contingent on Israel's recognition of Palestinian statehood.
The Indonesian president received praise from global leaders for his address. "Brave, firm, concrete. President Macron personally called to express his appreciation and pride," Teddy said. US President Donald Trump also commended Prabowo, encouraging him for his speech.
On the sidelines of his US visit, Prabowo met Microsoft founder Bill Gates, awarding him the Order of Distinguished Stars for his contributions to Indonesia in health, research, and humanitarian efforts. He also met FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who pledged support for developing Indonesia's youth football academies ahead of the national team's World Cup qualifiers in October.
In Canada, Prabowo was welcomed by Governor General Mary Simon and Prime Minister Mark Carney. Indonesia and Canada signed the Indonesia-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (ICA CEPA), eliminating tariffs on more than 90 percent of Indonesian goods. A defense memorandum of understanding was also signed, outlining joint training exercises and cooperation in developing defense industries.
The final stop in the Netherlands included a meeting with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima at Huis ten Bosch Palace. Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties and repatriating 30,000 historical Javanese artifacts to Indonesia.
"The Dutch government committed to returning the historical Javanese objects and artifacts to Indonesia," the Cabinet Secretariat said in a statement.
During his visit, Prabowo also made a personal stop to pay respects at the Oud Eik en Duinen cemetery in The Hague, visiting the graves of his grandparents, Phillip Frederik Laurens Sigar and Cornelie Emilie Sigar, who passed away in 1946. "Amid my official state visit to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, I took the time to visit this cemetery where my grandparents rest," Prabowo wrote on his official Instagram account @prabowo.
Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/indonesia-strengthens-global-ties-as-prabowo-concludes-diplomatic-visit