October 23, 2025 | 03:03 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto announced that Portuguese will soon be added to Indonesia’s school curriculum, underscoring the country’s deepening ties with Brazil.
“I will instruct the higher education and basic education ministers to begin teaching Portuguese in our schools,” Prabowo said at the Merdeka Palace in Central Jakarta on Thursday, October 23, 2025.
“This is proof that we regard the relationship between Brazil and Indonesia as highly important.”
The President’s statement came during a bilateral meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who is in Indonesia for a state visit. Prabowo said the move reflects the strengthening partnership between the two nations.
During the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of four cooperation agreements between Indonesia and Brazil.
“When I last met President Lula in July, we agreed to accelerate collaboration. In just two months, August and September, we’ve made remarkable progress,” Prabowo said.
He also announced that Indonesia and Brazil will soon begin drafting the Indonesia–Mercosur Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IM-CEPA), which is expected to bolster trade and economic growth for both nations.
“I believe this agreement will strengthen our partnership and help accelerate the economic growth of both countries, and the wider Latin American region,” he added.
Prabowo described Indonesia and Brazil as emerging global economic powers, with a combined population of around 500 million people. He also highlighted that both nations are members of the BRICS alliance (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa).
Meanwhile, President Lula da Silva expressed his intention to renew and expand strategic cooperation with Indonesia, particularly in technology, education, and trade.
“I have come to renew our strategic partnership and establish new agreements—not only in bilateral trade but also in new sectors such as artificial intelligence, data centralization, and scientific and technological collaboration,” Lula said.
He also emphasized the importance of building academic partnerships between universities in both countries and promoting balanced, mutually beneficial trade. “Indonesia is a strategic partner for Brazil,” he said.
President Lula da Silva arrived in Jakarta on Wednesday evening, October 22, 2025, via Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base. His visit is a reciprocal trip following President Prabowo’s state visit to Brasília in July 2025.
According to the Presidential Secretariat, the visit aims to further strengthen strategic cooperation between Indonesia and Brazil across multiple sectors.
Editor’s Choice: Brazil's President Lula Seeks AI, Tech Cooperation with Indonesia
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
The Role of Teddy Indra Wijaya in Prabowo's Communications
24 menit lalu

Those close to Prabowo complain about communicating with the Palace. Teddy Indra Wijaya determines what information the President receives.
Brazilian President Hails Indonesia as Key Partner in Advancing the Global South
46 menit lalu

Brazil is committed to strengthening bilateral relations and hopes to renew its partnership with Indonesia.
Brazil's President Lula Seeks AI, Tech Cooperation with Indonesia
1 jam lalu

President Lula da Silva also aims to enhance university relations between Indonesia and Brazil and seeks balanced trade between the two nations.
Indonesia Proposes Using Rp70 Trillion MBG Fund for Crop Rejuvenation
2 jam lalu

Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment plans to use Rp70 trillion from the Free Meal (MBG) program fund for crop rejuvenation.
Prabowo, Ramaphosa Discuss Visa-Free Travel and Enhanced Indonesia-South Africa Economy
2 jam lalu

Indonesian President Prabowo and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa discussed various issues in the collaboration between the two countries.
Brazilian President Welcomed by Dozens of Young Students at Jakarta's Merdeka Palace
3 jam lalu

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto received a visit from Brazilian President Luiz Incio Lula da Silva at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Thursday
Indonesia's Prabowo Welcomes Brazilian President at the Palace Today
4 jam lalu

Brazilian President Lula da Silva's visit to Indonesia is a return visit to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's state visit to Brazil in July 2025
The Trap of Ambitious Self-Sufficiency Programs
5 jam lalu

Controversy over Prabowo Subianto's self-sufficiency food and energy security drive is intensifying-threatening communities and the environment.
Indonesia Eyes Black Hawk Helicopters: What to Know About This Multi-Mission Aircraft
5 jam lalu

Indonesia previously signed an agreement on the procurement of Sikorsky S-70M Black Hawk helicopters.
Primary Education Minister Begins Research on Integrated School Design
18 jam lalu

Integrated schools will unite the levels of elementary, junior high, and senior high school or vocational high school within one integrated educational area.