Brazil and Indonesia Deepen Strategic Partnership with Extensive Cooperation Deals in Jakarta

Historic Meeting Bolsters Brazil-Indonesia Relations

Jakarta, Indonesia – On Thursday, October 23, 2025, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto convened in Jakarta to formalize a series of comprehensive cooperation agreements. The leaders witnessed the signing of eight key deals aimed at significantly enhancing bilateral ties across multiple sectors, marking a pivotal moment in the relationship between the two prominent Global South nations.

President Lula's visit to Indonesia, his first since 2008, is part of a broader Asian tour designed to strengthen Brazil's engagement with Southeast Asia. He arrived in Jakarta on Wednesday evening and was greeted with a state ceremony at the presidential palace on Thursday morning. The Brazilian delegation included at least 11 ministers, representing portfolios such as trade, investment, energy, food, and education, underscoring the breadth of the discussions. President Lula is also scheduled to attend the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, following his visit to Indonesia.

Agreements Span Critical Economic Sectors

The signed agreements cover a wide array of strategic areas, reflecting both countries' commitment to diversified cooperation. Key sectors addressed include:

• Oil and Gas
• Electricity
• Technology
• Mining
• Agriculture
• Renewable Energy
• Trade
• Defense and Climate
• Education and Science

During a joint press conference, both presidents highlighted the immense potential for increased economic partnership. President Lula noted the current bilateral trade volume, which stood at US$6.3 billion in 2024, an increase from US$2.2 billion since his last visit. He stated, 'How is it that two important countries in the world, such as Indonesia and Brazil, which together have a population of almost 500 million, only have a trade volume of $6 billion? This is not enough for Indonesia, and it is not enough for Brazil.' President Prabowo echoed this sentiment, expressing optimism that trade between the two nations could reach $20 billion in the coming years.

Towards a Free Trade Agreement and Global South Leadership

A significant point of discussion was the ongoing effort to establish a free trade agreement between Indonesia and the Mercosur bloc, a South American trade group that includes Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Uruguay. President Prabowo expressed his belief that such an agreement 'will strengthen our relations and will make both of our economies and the economies of Latin America grow rapidly.'

Both leaders emphasized their shared commitment to multilateralism and criticized protectionist trade measures. They also affirmed similar positions on global issues, including the situation in Gaza and the need for reform of the United Nations Security Council. In a symbolic gesture of deepening cultural ties, President Prabowo announced a landmark decision to introduce Portuguese language instruction in Indonesian schools, underscoring Brazil's growing importance as a strategic partner.

During his visit, President Lula also made headlines by confirming his intention to run for a fourth presidential term in 2026, an announcement made during the press conference in Jakarta.