China, EU vow to ‘step up efforts to address climate change’

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, meets with visiting President of the European Council Antonio Costa, left, and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, right, ahead of the China EU Summit, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Thursday, July 24, 2025. (AP)
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Updated 24 July 2025
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China, EU vow to ‘step up efforts to address climate change’

  • Chinese and European leaders reiterate that it is crucial that all countries step up efforts to address climate change

BEIJING: China and the European Union vowed on Thursday to "step up" action to address climate change, according to a joint statement released as Beijing hosted the bloc's leaders for a one-day summit.
Chinese and European leaders "reiterate that in the fluid and turbulent international situation today, it is crucial that all countries... step up efforts to address climate change", the statement said.


Indonesia eyes investment boost from UAE after leaders’ meeting 

Updated 20 min 10 sec ago
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Indonesia eyes investment boost from UAE after leaders’ meeting 

  • Indonesia-UAE trade was worth $6.4b in 2025, up from $5b in 2024
  • President Prabowo Subianto, MBZ also discussed increasing cooperation in renewable energy, tech, AI

JAKARTA: Indonesia is expecting more investments from the UAE, the Indonesian government said on Friday following talks between President Prabowo Subianto and his Emirati counterpart Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.

Indonesia’s relations with the UAE grew under former President Joko Widodo, who in 2021 secured more than $46 billion investment commitment from the Gulf state.

Subianto visited Abu Dhabi earlier this week accompanied by Foreign Minister Sugiono, and Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia on a trip aimed at strengthening cooperation under the Indonesia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. 

“The meeting discussed cooperation to increase investment (and) strengthen bilateral cooperation. The UAE wants to increase its investment in Indonesia,” Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said in a statement, without disclosing any amount. 

Indonesia and the UAE signed the free trade deal in 2022, which came into force a year later. It was Jakarta’s first with a Gulf country and Abu Dhabi’s first with a Southeast Asian nation.

The Indonesia-UAE CEPA erases about 99 percent of existing tariffs and includes commitments to increase Indonesia’s services exports to the UAE by 6 percent while mutually recognizing each country’s halal certification.

Commerce between the two countries has seen a boost since then, with bilateral trade reaching more than $6.4 billion in 2025, according to Indonesian Trade Ministry data, showcasing an increase of nearly 27 percent from the previous year, when it was worth around $5 billion.

The Emirati state news agency WAM said the talks in Abu Dhabi also covered ways to increase cooperation in other sectors, including renewable energy, technology, artificial intelligence, sustainability, food security and culture.

“The (UAE) president noted the continuing progress of long-standing UAE-Indonesia relations, which are founded on mutual trust, respect and shared interests,” WAM said.

“He reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to advancing its development and economic partnership with Indonesia for the benefit of both countries and their peoples.”

This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and the UAE.

The UAE was Subianto’s last stop on a multi-nation trip, which included the US, the UK and Jordan.