Hanoi, 15 November 2020: The 37th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits were held virtually from 12 to 15 November 2020. Many of the Summits focused on the discussion of the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework and its Implementation Plan, which will serve as a guideline for countries economic recovery after the pandemic. Several ERIA projects and publications were recognised and commended in the official Statements.

Highlights

ERIA Cited in Chairman’s Statement of the 37th ASEAN Summit

Sub-Regional Development

32. We commended the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) for publishing the "Sub-regional development strategy in ASEAN after COVID-19: inclusiveness and sustainability in the Mekong subregion (MEKONG 2030) report” which provides insights with regard to ASEAN's sub regional development and its role in ASEAN Community building.

ASEAN Economic Community

64. We acknowledged the significant contribution of ASEAN’s Dialogue and Development Partners in ASEAN’s market integration efforts through the technical assistance and capacity-building programs they have established and implemented in ASEAN. We expressed our appreciation to the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) for its support to ASEAN economic integration through studies that aim to contribute to upgrading the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) – which is being undertaken also in collaboration with ARISE PLUS, addressing the non-tariff measures in the region, facilitating trade through the follow-up study on the ASEAN Seamless Trade Facilitation Indicators-Trade Transaction Cost (ASTFI-TTC), enhancing the utilisation of the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs), addressing issues in facilitating mobility of ASEAN professionals that includes a study on the impact of the 4IR in ASEAN professional services, and promoting good regulatory practice in the region.

ERIA Cited in Chairman’s Statement of the 17th ASEAN-India Summit

9. We emphasised the importance of strengthening ASEAN-India connectivity cooperation to advance the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 as well as exploring synergies between the MPAC 2025 and India’s connectivity strategies under India’s Act East Policy through “Connecting the Connectivities” approach. We looked forward to concrete cooperation in sustainable infrastructure, including through capacity building activities and enhancement of investment and business environments. We noted the completion of the study by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) commissioned by India on “The India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway and Its Possible Eastward Extension to Lao PDR, Cambodia, and Viet Nam: Challenges and Opportunities”. We looked forward to timely completion of the India-Thailand-Myanmar Trilateral Highway as well as the commencement of the development of its extension to Lao PDR, Cambodia, and Viet Nam. We supported efforts to strengthen aviation and maritime connectivity by working towards the conclusion of the ASEAN-India Air Transport Agreement (AI-ATA) and the ASEAN-India Maritime Transport Agreement (AI-MTA). We also looked forward to India’s support for and collaboration with the ASEAN Smart Cities Network.

ERIA Cited in Chairman’s Statement of the 23rd ASEAN-Japan Summit

15. … We welcomed the support of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) in promoting our close economic partnership and Japan's contribution to the Institute.
16. We welcomed the successful convening of the ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating Committee (ACCC) Consultations with Dialogue Partners and Other External Partners on Connectivity and the 11th ASEAN Connectivity Symposium on Enhancing ASEAN Cohesiveness, Responsiveness through Resilient Connectivity and Human Capital Development, with support from the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), on 26 August 2020 and 28 August 2020, respectively.
17. … We welcomed the progress in the implementation of the ASEAN-Japan Environmental Cooperation Initiative which aims to promote cooperation in various areas of environmental protection including environmental education, sustainable cities, water resources management, chemicals and waste management, biodiversity through the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), and climate change, particularly through the new ASEAN-Japan Climate Change Action Agenda. ASEAN Leaders expressed appreciation for Japan’s continued support for an environmentally-sustainable ASEAN through the ASEAN Japan Dialogue on Environmental Cooperation (AJDEC), the first ASEAN-Japan Ministerial Dialogue on Environmental Cooperation (AJMDEC), and for Japan’s commitment to strengthening its cooperation with ASEAN in addressing the issue of climate change through Japan’s support for the ongoing development of ASEAN State of Climate Change Report, and combating marine plastic debris through the ASEAN Plus Three Marine Plastics Debris Cooperative Action Initiative, which includes the establishment of the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris at the ERIA.

ERIA Cited in Chairman’s Statement of the 23rd ASEAN Plus Three Summit

Review and Future Direction of APT Cooperation

8. We emphasised the need to strengthen APT collaboration in advancing the region’s recovery from the adverse socio-economic effects of the pandemic. In this regard, we welcomed the ASEAN Plus Three Plan of Action (APT POA) on Mitigating the Economic Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic which was endorsed at the 23rd AEM Plus Three Consultations on 28 August 2020, to implement ASEAN Plus Three Economic Ministers’ Joint Statement on Mitigating the Economic Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic adopted on 4 June 2020). We looked forward to the effective implementation of the APT POA which would bring about collaboration and coordination between ASEAN and the Plus Three countries, as well as prepare the region for future emergency situations, and achieve post pandemic economic recovery. We recognised the collaborative work of the four research institutes from APT members (CAITEC, JETRO, KIEP and ERIA) in completing the Final Joint Study on “10+3 Cooperation for Improvement of Supply Chain Connectivity” that would benefit the region and enhance ASEAN-Plus Three economic relations. In addition, we adopted the APT Leaders’ Statement on Strengthening APT Cooperation for Final Economic and Financial Resilience in the face of Emerging Challenges to realise the commitment of the APT countries to cooperate and collaborate on overcoming the challenges brought about by COVID-19.
9. We noted the successful convening of the ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating Committee (ACCC) Consultations with Dialogue Partners and Other External Partners on Connectivity and the 11th ASEAN Connectivity Symposium on Enhancing ASEAN Cohesiveness, Responsiveness through Resilient Connectivity and Human Capital Development, with support from the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), on 26 August 2020 and 28 August 2020, respectively.

ERIA Cited in Chairman’s Statement of the 15th East Asia Summit

Environment and Energy

9. We welcomed the progress made in EAS energy cooperation, including the successful conduct of distributed energy system audits in select ASEAN Member States led by Japan, the ongoing feasibility study on wind power with energy storage systems in select ASEAN countries led by the Republic of Korea, and the evaluation of carbon emission reduction through mobility electrification and introduction of alternative biofuels led by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA). We noted the expanded EAS initiatives on promotion of natural gas, hydrogen and carbon recycling, and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) and looked forward to the initiatives contributing to energy transitions in the region. We welcomed the contribution of ERIA to the implementation of the EAS Mid-Term Energy Policy Research Roadmap for the 3 ECTF work streams. We welcomed the successful convening of the 3rd East Asia Energy Forum (EAEF 3) focusing on CCUS on 9 November 2020 organized by ERIA and Vietnam, and the EAS New Energy Forum held on 24th September 2020 organized by China. We encouraged ERIA to continue high quality policy-based research and pragmatic recommendations reflecting the regional energy situation after COVID-19.

ASEAN Connectivity

24. … We welcomed the successful convening of the ACCC Consultations with Dialogue Partners and Other External Partners on Connectivity and 11th ASEAN Connectivity Symposium on Enhancing ASEAN Cohesiveness, Responsiveness through Resilient Connectivity and Human Capital Development, with support from the ERIA, on 26 August 2020 and 28 August 2020, respectively.

Economic Cooperation and Trade

27. We commended ERIA for its continued research and analysis on key regional economic issues that support economic integration and the digital economy in the region. We welcomed the report of the 13th ERIA Governing Board Meeting held on 16 October 2020. We encouraged ERIA to continue providing support to the Chair of the ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit by undertaking high-quality policy-based research, especially those that will help the EAS region respond well to the after-effects of COVID-19 pandemic. We welcomed and encouraged further efforts to support the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN) in building a network of smart cities that are resilient, innovative and well-connected, in line with the 2018 EAS Leaders’ Statement on ASEAN Smart Cities.

Photo credit: ASEAN Secretariat