TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo a.k.a. Jokowi planted a mangrove sapling at Jubail Mangrove Park, Abu Dhabi, the UAE, after meeting with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Al-Shatie Palace on Nov 3.

According to the official press statement received in Jakarta on Thursday morning, en route to the Jubail Mangrove Park, President Jokowi's entourage passed through Joko Widodo Street to observe the President Joko Widodo Mosque and the progress in construction of the new building for the Indonesian Embassy in Abu Dhabi.

The president arrived at the mangrove park at 5:15 p.m. local time (UTC +4) and was welcomed by Minister of Energy and Infrastructure of UAE Suhail Al Mazrouei and President Director of Jubail Island Investment Company Mounir Haidar.

After being shown around the mangrove park, President Jokowi strolled for 300 meters on the park boardwalk to observe the mangrove trees in the park. The Jubail Mangrove Park has three boardwalk routes of different lengths of 2 km, 1.6 km, and 1 km.

Before exiting the Jubail Mangrove Park, President Jokowi planted a mangrove tree in proximity to the mangrove tree earlier planted by the Crown Prince.

The Jubail Mangrove Park is the first of its kind in Abu Dhabi, with a total area spanning 120,000 square meters, and was opened on January 30, 2021.

As quoted from the official website, the mangrove park was established to increase awareness, appreciation, and understanding of the ecological functions of mangrove forests to protect the Abu Dhabi coastline and safeguard biodiversity in the region.

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi stated at the Emirates Palace Hotel after the visit that the mangrove issue was part of the discussion between both leaders during President Jokowi's visit to Al-Shatie Palace.

Both leaders agreed to enhance cooperation on mangrove preservation and research. Mangroves also play an essential role in addressing the issue of climate change, as Indonesia has the largest mangrove forests in the world, the foreign minister noted.

"The Crown Prince is appreciative of Indonesia's efforts related to mangrove preservation and rehabilitation. Both leaders also agree to enhance their cooperation in the mangrove sector in the future," Marsudi informed.

Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, and Ambassador of Indonesia to the United Arab Emirates Husin Bagis accompanied President Jokowi during his visit to Jubail Mangrove Park.

Planting mangrove trees is nothing new for the president, as he had earlier participated in a mangrove tree planting event with foreign ambassadors and members of the public in Bebatu Village, Sesayap Hilir Sub-district, Tana Tidung District, North Kalimantan, on Tuesday (October 19, 2021).

Read: Jokowi Arrives in Abu Dhabi to Meet UAE Crown Prince

ANTARA