President Prabowo travels to Russia as guest of honor at Eastern Economic Forum

President Prabowo travels to Russia as guest of honor at Eastern Economic Forum

President Prabowo Subianto left Jakarta on Tuesday evening bound for Vladivostok, Russia, where he will serve as guest of honor at the 11th Eastern Economic Forum, a gathering that has attracted more than 5,000 participants from over 70 countries.

The presidential aircraft departed Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base at 23:20 Eastern Indonesia Time, carrying the President and a high-level delegation following a limited cabinet meeting at his Hambalang residence.

Accompanying President Prabowo were Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Foreign Affairs Minister Sugiono, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, Higher Education, Science, and Technology Minister Brian Yuliarto, Investment Minister Rosan Roeslani and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.

The four-day forum, running from September 1–4 at Far Eastern Federal University on Russky Island, brings together government leaders, business executives and investors under the theme "The Far East: Development for the Benefit of People." Discussions will focus on housing construction, urban development, job creation and infrastructure accessibility across Russia's eastern territories.

Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said President Putin personally invited President Prabowo as the forum's main guest of honor, reflecting the strengthening ties between Jakarta and Moscow through direct leader-to-leader engagement.

This is a reflection of the close relations between Indonesia and Russia built through direct leader-to-leader diplomacy.

This marks the second time President Prabowo has received such recognition at a major Russian economic forum. He previously attended the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in June 2025 as a main speaker, where he sat alongside President Putin and addressed the plenary panel.

The Eastern Economic Forum, established by presidential decree in 2015, has become a key platform for accelerating economic development in Russia's Far East and expanding international cooperation across the Asia-Pacific region, including with ASEAN member states. Since its inception, the forum has facilitated almost 3,000 investment projects worth approximately $162 billion, launching over 1,100 enterprises and creating more than 180,000 jobs in the region.

Strategic Partnership Recognition

According to Teddy, Russia views Indonesia as a strategic partner in the Asia-Pacific, recognizing its influence within ASEAN, the Global South and the broader Islamic world. The forum's organizing committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Yury Trutnev and operated by the Roscongress Foundation, has confirmed participation from representatives of 80 countries.

The plenary session on September 3 will feature addresses from President Putin, President Prabowo and Mongolia's Prime Minister, alongside prominent delegations from China led by Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, as well as representatives from India, Japan, Korea and several ASEAN member states.

Bilateral Talks and Economic Cooperation

During his visit, President Prabowo is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with President Putin to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, energy and other strategic sectors. The talks come as bilateral trade between the two nations shows robust growth, having reached approximately $4.3 billion in 2024, with trade volumes expanding by nearly 18 percent in the first ten months of 2025 to reach $3.6 billion.

Teddy emphasized that the visit aligns with Indonesia's free and active foreign policy, with the primary objective of delivering tangible national and economic benefits. The forum serves as a platform for establishing ties within the Russian and global investment communities, offering Indonesian officials opportunities to explore partnerships that could support the country's economic development goals.

Far Eastern Federal University, the forum's host venue and the only Russian university belonging to the Association of Pacific Rim Universities, has a history dating back to 1899 when it was established by decree of Tsar Nicholas II. Its location in Vladivostok positions it as a natural bridge between Russia and the Asia-Pacific region, reinforcing the forum's focus on cross-regional economic integration.