Key Facts from Prabowo's Visit to Washington D.C.
President Prabowo Subianto travelled to Washington D.C., United States, last week. During his visit to the American capital, Prabowo attended a series of business forums and a high-level summit.
Prabowo departed for the United States from Indonesia on Thursday, 19 February 2026. He was accompanied by Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of Investment and Downstreaming who also serves as Danantara CEO Rosan Perkasa Roeslani, and Foreign Minister Sugiono.
During his time in Washington, Prabowo announced Indonesian troop participation in a peacekeeping mission to the Gaza Strip, Palestine. He also signed a trade agreement with US President Donald Trump. The following are the key facts from Prabowo’s visit:
Prabowo Invites US Investment in Education and Healthcare
Prabowo attended a business summit at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce building in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, 18 February 2026. During the meeting, Prabowo invited American educational institutions to establish partnerships with Indonesia.
At the forum, Prabowo emphasised the importance of education. He revealed plans to build 10 new university campuses and 500 high-quality schools in Indonesia. “(We) invite foreign educational institutions to come to Indonesia. We are opening up the education sector (for cooperation),” Prabowo said.
Beyond education, Prabowo also invited American business leaders to invest in the healthcare sector, noting that Indonesia’s number of doctors remains insufficient.
Prabowo called on American business leaders to invest in Indonesia. “I believe in what I learned from American entrepreneurs: ‘Let’s make money together.’ Win-win. Everyone profits, everyone benefits,” Prabowo said.
Attending the Peace Council Summit
Prabowo attended the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington D.C. on Thursday, 19 February 2026. The event was attended by US President Donald Trump and approximately 20 other heads of state who are members of the Peace Council.
Other attending national leaders included those from Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Pakistan, Paraguay, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Egypt. Representatives from Belarus, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Israel were also present.
At the summit, Prabowo announced that Indonesia would send troops to the Gaza Strip alongside the Peace Council. Indonesia was also appointed as deputy commander of the force.
Indonesia Appointed as ISF Deputy Commander
Indonesia accepted the United States’ offer to serve as Deputy Commander of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF). This information was conveyed by US Major General Jasper Jeffers — appointed by Donald Trump as ISF Commander — during the inaugural Peace Council meeting in Washington D.C.
Jeffers explained that ISF personnel are tasked with ensuring stabilisation in Gaza. The force is planned for deployment across five different sectors in the Gaza Strip: Rafah, Khan Yunis, Deir el-Balah, Gaza City, and Northern Gaza. Each sector, Jeffers said, will receive one ISF brigade.
“I also want to announce that I have offered, and Indonesia has accepted, the position of ISF Deputy Commander,” Jeffers said. “With these initial steps, we will help bring about the security that Gaza needs for a prosperous future and lasting peace.”
At the same meeting, Prabowo stated that Indonesia is preparing approximately 8,000 Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) personnel for deployment to the Gaza Strip, Palestine, through the ISF. “We are ready to contribute troops to actively participate in the International Stabilisation Force to realise this peace,” the Gerindra Party chairman said.
Prabowo Called a “Tough Man” by Trump
During the Board of Peace meeting, US President Donald Trump expressed appreciation in his speech for the attending national representatives, including President Prabowo. Trump stated that countries joining the Peace Council are not only contributing funds but are also willing to send personnel to maintain the ceasefire and ensure peace in Gaza, Palestine.
Trump then named Indonesia as one of the countries that would send troops to Gaza. “Indonesia, thank you very much, Indonesia. This is a great country,” Trump said, as broadcast on the official White House YouTube channel.
Trump then described Prabowo as a “tough” man. The Republican politician also said Prabowo had done a tremendous job and was respected by everyone. “He’s tough and he’s smart. And smart is more important,” Trump said.
Prabowo Meets 12 Investors
Prabowo met with 12 heads of global investment firms as part of his working visit to Washington D.C. The investors were chief executive officers and presidents of companies with total assets under management of approximately US$15 trillion.
Minister of Investment and Downstreaming/Head of BKPM who also serves as Danantara CEO, Rosan Perkasa Roeslani, said the meeting lasted nearly two hours. “It was originally expected to last only an hour, but the discussion was very fruitful, very productive,” Rosan said in a written statement on Saturday, 21 February 2026.
Rosan recounted that President Prabowo stressed during the meeting that Indonesia no longer wishes to be known as a sleeping giant. “It is time for Indonesia to rise, move, and maximise all national economic potential together with global partners,” he said.
One of the investors who met Prabowo was Todd Boehly, CEO of Eldridge Industries and owner of Chelsea Football Club.