The President of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) Professor Hidetoshi Nishimura received a courtesy visit from the Secretary General of the International Energy Forum (IEF) Dr Sun Xiansheng on 30 January 2017 in Jakarta and discussed plans for improving cooperation between the organisations going forward.

The visit was part of the Secretary General's first visit to Indonesia since he assumed office in August 2016. Based in Riyadh, IEF aims to foster greater mutual understanding and awareness of common energy interests among its 72 member countries.

During the meeting, Prof Nishimura and Dr Xiansheng exchanged details of ongoing activities in their respective organisations. Prof Nishimura commended Dr Xiansheng for IEF's effective engagement with Asian countries as resource consuming countries in 2016. 'We are starting the ERIA 2.0 with high hopes for our close cooperation with IEF on energy issues,' said Prof Nishimura.

Dr Xiansheng acknowledged ERIA's continued efforts in carrying out significant studies that aim to ensure sustainable production and consumption of energy resources in East Asia Summit (EAS) countries. He offered IEF as a platform to share ERIA's major studies and to organise policy dialogues on key issues affecting the region. 'With 16 years of experience, the IEF has evolved into one of the most inclusive platforms for dialogue. ERIA is a strategic partner to bring in consensus on diverse interests facing Asian consumers' countries,' said Dr Xiangsheng.

Prof Nishimura and Dr Xiansheng named East Asia Energy Forum, G20 energy and sustainability dialogue, IEF lectures, and Asian Energy Ministerial Roundtable as programs of cooperation for both organisations in 2017. During the visit, Dr Xiansheng also met other ERIA scholars and toured the office.