President Prabowo Subianto emphasized the importance of strategic collaboration and reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to an independent and active foreign policy during his address at the plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2025 on Friday, June 20, 2025.

Speaking immediately after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s opening remarks at the ExpoForum Convention and Exhibition Centre, President Prabowo called the forum “a strategic meeting space” for leaders from the West, East, and Global South to build trust and engage in mutually beneficial cooperation amid the rising complexity of global geopolitics.

"This forum brings together leaders from the West, the Global South, the East, and the Eurasian crossroads. Indonesia sees this gathering as a chance to build strategic trust and reach agreements in an increasingly complicated geopolitical landscape," Prabowo said.

Attended by global leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Bahrain’s Prince Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa (SPIEF Co-Partner), Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, and South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile, this year’s SPIEF plenary focused on the theme “Shared Values: The Foundation of Growth in a Multipolar World.”

In his speech, President Prabowo reiterated Indonesia’s commitment to its long-standing principle of non-alignment.

“We have always adhered to and will continue to uphold a non-bloc foreign policy,” he said.

The President also underlined the importance of peaceful collaboration and economic cooperation between nations, especially in the face of increasing global tensions. He appreciated Russia for supporting the successful conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Indonesia and the Eurasian Economic Union.

“We thank Russia for its support in achieving the Indonesia–Eurasian Economic Union CEPA. We have also completed negotiations with the CPTPP and the European Union, and we are currently applying for OECD membership,” he noted.

President Prabowo further stressed Indonesia’s readiness to work with all countries to promote peaceful coexistence in an interconnected world.

“We will work together for peaceful collaboration and coexistence with all nations,” he affirmed.

Turning to recent developments in the Middle East, President Prabowo expressed deep concern over escalating conflicts and called for swift peaceful resolution.

“We deeply regret the growing escalation and conflict worldwide, particularly in the Middle East. We hope all parties can reach a peaceful resolution as soon as possible,” he concluded.