Jakarta, February 17, 2025 – The Europe Today: Former Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri met with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), on Saturday. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation and addressing pressing global concerns, including the Palestinian issue.
Discussions between Megawati and the Crown Prince encompassed potential collaboration between Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and the UAE’s research and innovation institutions. As the Chair of BRIN’s Steering Committee, Megawati emphasized the importance of joint research in key areas such as sanitation, clean water, and the development of quantum technology. Indonesian Ambassador to Tunisia Zuhairi Misrawi, who attended the meeting and served as a translator, highlighted the Crown Prince’s keen interest in advancing cooperation in these sectors.
The meeting also addressed the Palestinian cause, with Megawati urging international efforts to support Palestinian independence. She reiterated Indonesia’s long-standing commitment to the Palestinian struggle, referencing her late father, Indonesia’s first president, Soekarno, and his advocacy for Palestinian sovereignty at the Asia-Africa Conference in Bandung, West Java, in 1955.
“We must fight together for Palestinian independence, as stated in the Ten Bandung Principles,” Megawati asserted during the discussion.
Prior to her visit to Abu Dhabi, Megawati participated in the World Leaders Summit on Children’s Rights at the Vatican, where she voiced concerns about the impact of war on Palestinian children.
Accompanying Megawati at the meeting was her daughter, Puan Maharani, Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, while Prince Khaled was joined by several UAE ministers. Ambassador Misrawi emphasized that the meeting played a crucial role in enhancing diplomatic relations between Indonesia and the UAE.
