Visit to Indonesia, the Philippines and Uzbekistan
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender will travel to Indonesia, the Philippines and Uzbekistan from 14 to 18 June
June 15th, 2026
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender will travel to Indonesia, the Philippines and Uzbekistan from 14 to 18 June. The trip will strengthen political relations with the countries, deepen economic cooperation and promote exchange in the field of education and skilled workers. The Federal President will hold political talks and visit places that represent faith, culture and history. The German Head of State will be accompanied by a trade delegation.
In Jakarta, President Prabowo Subianto welcomed the Federal President with military honours. The two Presidents stressed the joint aim of further expanding cooperation in the fields of business, energy, the climate, recruitment of skilled workers, and culture. At the same time, they underlined their shared stance on democracy, the rules-based order and strong multilateral engagement in the Indo-Pacific.
During his visit to the Istiqlal Mosque, the Federal President were given a guided tour of the place of worship before walking through the Tunnel of Friendship to the Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption opposite the mosque. This meeting showed the particular importance of religious tolerance in Indonesia.
The Federal President will then take part in an expert discussion with representatives of local think tanks on middle powers and their role in a changing global order. The Federal President will then fly to Manila, the capital of the Philippines.
On the second day of his trip, the Federal President will meet President Ferdinand Marcos Jr in Manila for talks on political matters and opportunities for economic cooperation. At a joint press conference, the two Presidents will reaffirm the importance of the partnership between Germany and the Philippines. On the same day, the Federal President will lay a wreath at the Rizal Monument, erected in memory of the country’s national hero, and visit the Museo ni Rizal (Rizal Museum). José Rizal spent formative years of his life in Germany, where his novel “Noli me tángere” was published in 1887.
The Federal President will then visit Lufthansa Technik Philippines, one of the world’s largest maintenance centres for wide-body aircraft, which trains predominantly Philippine skilled workers to German standards.
The Federal President will also meet with Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Maria Ressa, who will speak about her work in support of press freedom and democracy. The Federal President will then travel on to Tashkent in Uzbekistan in the evening.
At a meeting between the Federal President and the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the two Presidents will underscore their commitment to expanding economic partnership. Afterwards, the German trade delegation will sign agreements on several projects by German companies in Uzbekistan in the presence of the two Presidents. As a sign of friendship between Germany and Uzbekistan, the Federal President and President Mirziyoyev will also plant a tree in the garden of the Presidential Residence.
The second day in Tashkent will start with a tour of the world’s largest museum of Islamic culture, the Islamic Civilisation Centre. The Federal President will then visit the company GP Günter Papenburg and take part in an event on skilled labour migration, where he will meet apprentices, representatives of German companies and trainers.
Overview of the programme
Sunday, 14 June 2026
Midday
Flight to Jakarta, Indonesia
Monday, 15 June 2026
Morning, Presidential Palace
Welcome with military honours by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto
Thereafter
Signing of the guest book and talks with the President
12.15 p.m. [CEST +5]
Joint press conference
Afternoon
Visit to the Istiqlal Mosque with the Minister of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia and Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque, Nasaruddin Umar.
Thereafter
Walk through the Tunnel of Friendship and welcome by the Archbishop of Jakarta, Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo
Thereafter
Visit to Jakarta Cathedral with the Archbishop and the Minister of Religious Affairs
Thereafter, delegation hotel
Participation in a round-table discussion on middle powers’ geopolitics with representatives of think thanks
Evening
Flight to Manila, the Philippines
Tuesday, 16 June 2026
Morning, Rizal Monument
Wreath-laying ceremony
Thereafter, Presidential Palace
Welcome with military honours by the President of the Republic of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr
Thereafter
Signing of the guest book and talks with the President
12.00 p.m. [CEST +6]
Joint press conference
Thereafter
Luncheon hosted by the President of the Republic of the Philippines
Thereafter
Visit to Fort Santiago and tour of Museo ni Rizal (Rizal Museum)
Afternoon, Villamor Air Base
Tour of the Lufthansa Technik Philippines production plant
Evening
Meeting with Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Maria Ressa
Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Morning
Flight to Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Afternoon
Welcome by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Abdulla Aripov
Thereafter
Wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument to the Independence of Uzbekistan
Thereafter, Kuksaroy Presidential Palace
Welcome with military honours by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev
Thereafter
Talks with the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Thereafter
Meeting between the two Presidents and the German trade delegation
Thereafter
Signing ceremony
Thereafter
Tree planting
Evening
Dinner hosted by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Thursday, 18 June 2026
Morning
Visit to the Islamic Civilisation Centre
Thereafter, Uzbekistan branch of GP Günter Papenburg
Talks on skilled labour migration with representatives of companies and organisations
Afternoon
Flight to Berlin
