Jakarta, Indonesia - On June 16, the ERIA Governing Board held two back-to-back meetings at the ASEAN Secretariat: the 9th Governing Board Meeting (GBM) followed by a half day discussion between ERIA and the Ambassadors of ERIA Member States plus Mongolia.

The meetings focused on the future of ERIA with discussions on wide-ranging issues impacting regional economic development.

Dato Paduka Lim Jock Hoi, Chairperson of the Governing Board of ERIA opened the meeting with a welcome to all participants followed by opening remarks from Professor Hidetoshi Nishimura, President of ERIA who thanked the Governors for travelling to the meeting. Professor Nishimura affirmed that ERIA will continue to promote ASEAN economic integration and thanked the Governor's for their continued support.

Several staff members of ERIA presented the Report on Activities in 2015 and the 2016 Work Plan which highlighted new research activities, capacity building and communications and outreach as well as the introduction of the new policy design department which will be established in 2016.

Professor Nishimura then presented 'ERIA 2.0: ERIA's Medium Term Work Plan' which outlines the new directions ERIA will take in the next three to five years. ERIA 2.0 includes establishing the Policy Design Department, setting up formal bridging mechanisms to enhance interaction with policymakers in the region and various measures to further enhance ERIA's research, capacity building, and outreach activities.

During the morning session, the Governing Board, as the supreme decision-making body of ERIA, adopted the 'Statement of the ERIA Governing Board' which detailed the outcomes of the discussions and outlined the necessary actions that ERIA needs to focus on during the current year as well as the new Medium Term Work Plan.

In the afternoon, a meeting between the Governors of ERIA, ERIA Secretariat and permanent representatives and ambassadors of ERIA member states, which is composed of the 10 ASEAN member countries, plus Australia, China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, and New Zealand and ERIA Dialogue partner Mongolia was held.

After opening remarks from Dato Paduka Lim Jock Hoi, the meeting was greeted by H.E. Le Loung Minh, the Secretary General of ASEAN. ERIA researchers presented on a range of current projects including: Dr. Ponciano S. Intal Junior on 'Preparation for ASEAN at 50' which will take place next year; Dr. Lili Yan Ing, Project Leader on 'ERIA-UNCTAD NTM in ASEAN'; Dr. Dionisius A. Narjoko on 'Economic Consequences of Globalization: Evidence form East Asia'; Dr. Han Phoumin, on 'Economic Impact on Energy subsidy Removal in EAS Region.' Lastly, Mr Jeremy Gross reported on the first year of the Australia-funded capacity building programme and its upcoming plans.

Comments during the open discussion that followed were very supportive of the work ERIA has done and of the proposed Medium Term Work Plan. Member states were especially positive about the new Policy Design Department as well as the capacity building programme which has contributed to enlarging the footprint of ERIA in the region through the provision of practical support for governments. Member states also suggested that ERIA find more opportunities to partner with the private sector.

List of the Governing Board Members (As of June 2016)

Click here for the list of the Governing Board Members.

Related Documents

Press Release - The 9th ERIA Governing Board Meeting

Statement - The 9th ERIA Governing Board Meeting

Activities in FY2015 and FY2016 Work Plan

Research Projects FY2015 and FY2016

ERIA 2.0: ERIA's Medium-Term Work Plan

ASEAN AT 50: The Making, Substance, Significance and Future of ASEAN

Non-Tariff Measures in ASEAN

Economic Consequences of Globalization: Evidence form East Asia

Economic Impact on Energy Subsidy Removal in EAS Region

Australia-funded Capacity Building Programme

Photo Gallery

Click here to view the 9th ERIA Governing Board Meeting photo gallery.