TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Joko Widodo or Jokowi was awarded the Order of Zayed, the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) highest civilian honor, by UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ) during their meeting at Qasr Al Watan on Wednesday, July 18, 2024.

The Indonesian Presidential Secretariat, in a written statement, highlighted that Jokowi received the prestigious award in recognition of his significant contributions to strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations. His efforts in fostering increased cooperation with the UAE during his tenure were also commended.

Presenting the award, MBZ expressed his deep appreciation for Jokowi's role in solidifying ties between the countries. He conveyed his good wishes for J's continued health and prosperity and the further advancement and success of the Indonesian people.

“The past few years have served as a strong testament to the depth of bilateral relations between the two countries and this paves the way for even greater cooperation between our nations in the future,” said MBZ.

In response, Jokowi expressed his gratitude to MBZ and his pride in receiving the award, which he sees as a symbol of the exceptional relationship between Indonesia and the UAE.

The Order of Zayed, named after the UAE's founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the highest civilian distinction bestowed by the UAE upon world leaders and heads of state. Several prominent figures, including China’s Xi Jinping, India’s Narendra Modi, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, and Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto have reportedly been recipients of this honor.

On a separate occasion, MBZ also conferred the Order of the Union upon Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, recognizing his tireless efforts in strengthening strategic relations between the UAE and Indonesia.

Since Jokowi assumed office in 2014, the volume of non-oil and gas trade between the UAE and Indonesia has witnessed a significant increase, rising from US$2.7 billion to US$4.4 billion by 2023. This underscored the positive trajectory of the bilateral ties under Jokowi's leadership.

DANIEL A. FAJRI

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