Manila, 24–25 August 2026: Under the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship 2026 and its role as Chair of the ASEAN Coordinating Task Force on Blue Economy (ACTF-BE), the 4th ASEAN Blue Economy Forum (ABEF) and Task Force Meeting were held in Manila, with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA).

ABEF served as a high-level strategic platform to advance policy dialogue, strengthen regional co-operation, and identify follow-up actions. The forum also marked the launch of the ASEAN Blue Economy Implementation Plan 2026–2030, signalling ASEAN’s transition from developing a shared blue economy framework to putting it into practice. The Implementation Plan seeks to advance five key forms of capital: financial, natural, physical, human, and social.

In his special opening address, ERIA President Tetsuya Watanabe highlighted the importance of translating ASEAN’s blue economy vision into concrete implementation. Building on the ASEAN Blue Economy Initiative launched during Indonesia’s ASEAN Chairship, he outlined three priorities: strengthening ASEAN’s natural capital, mobilising investment at scale, and ensuring inclusive opportunities.

He noted that effective implementation of these priorities could demonstrate a new model of economic development – one that preserves nature, empowers people, and improves the livelihoods of local communities.

Dr Intan Murnira Ramli, Senior Policy Fellow at ERIA and moderator of the high-level opening plenary, emphasised the interdependence between natural and financial capital. She underscored the need for stronger engagement from the economic sector, alongside greater policy clarity and appropriate de-risking conditions to encourage private-sector investment.

With the ASEAN Blue Economy Framework, financing strategies, and an emerging taxonomy taking shape, Dr Ramli noted that regional priorities could increasingly be translated into investable opportunities that support economic growth, ecosystem resilience, and coastal communities.

Discussions throughout the forum highlighted the need to mobilise capital and scale up data, market development, and innovation. Participants also considered ASEAN’s strengths, including its multilateral frameworks and rich maritime and coastal resources, alongside persistent challenges such as limited financing and insufficient policy clarity.

The forum further highlighted tools and initiatives including the Blue Economy Index, the Blue Carbon Action Partnership, natural capital accounting, and marine spatial mapping. Participants emphasised the need for clearer guidance on the application of these tools and more cohesive institutional mechanisms to support blue and green growth and strengthen governance across ASEAN’s diverse maritime and archipelagic contexts.

Following the forum, ERIA participated in the ACTF-BE Task Force Meeting, where participants reviewed the outcomes of the 4th ABEF and expressed appreciation for the support provided by ADB and ERIA.

The Chair underscored the importance of recognising the value of natural capital alongside financial capital, while ensuring that the benefits of the blue economy reach coastal communities, women, and youth. The Chair also highlighted the importance of partnerships and the potential of ASEAN blue economy zones, marine protected areas, and other designated areas to support emerging blue economy initiatives.

Participants further highlighted the importance of clear benchmarks and indicators for effective implementation and monitoring of the ASEAN Blue Economy Agenda. They discussed the need to translate ASEAN’s blue infrastructure priorities into investment opportunities through robust policies and regulations, improve access to financing, strengthen public–private linkages, and build partnerships that demonstrate the value of ASEAN’s multilateral co-operation.

The discussions underscored the importance of moving from vision to implementation by connecting policy frameworks with investment, innovation, institutional co-ordination, and inclusive outcomes. ERIA remains committed to supporting ASEAN’s efforts to develop a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable blue economy.