Jakarta, 18 August 2026: ERIA welcomed participants of the 5th ASEAN Junior Fellowship Programme to its Jakarta office for a session introducing ERIA’s work in research, policy dialogue, and regional co-operation, and exploring key challenges and opportunities facing ASEAN.

Dr Takayuki Yamanaka, ERIA’s Chief Operating Officer, opened the session by expressing his appreciation to the ASEAN Secretariat and programme organisers for their continued support. He highlighted the programme’s role in helping emerging ASEAN leaders deepen their understanding of ASEAN institutions, policymaking processes, and regional co-operation, while building networks that can contribute to the region’s long-term development.

Dr Yamanaka introduced ERIA as an international organisation supporting ASEAN and East Asia through economic and policy research. He outlined areas closely aligned with the region’s current priorities, including digital transformation, supply chain resilience, energy security and transition, critical minerals, and inclusive growth. He encouraged the fellows to consider how research, policy dialogue, and regional co-operation can contribute to practical solutions to the challenges facing ASEAN.

The session featured presentations from ERIA experts on energy, digital transformation and governance.

Mr Kentaro Noma of the Asia Zero Emission Center presented ERIA’s work on energy security and energy transition. He highlighted the Center’s efforts to support pathways towards zero emissions through research on decarbonisation roadmaps, the ASEAN Power Grid (APG), and market enablers such as transition finance and carbon markets. He explained how decarbonisation roadmaps provide an analytical foundation for long-term energy planning, while ERIA’s work on the APG examines technical feasibility and market readiness to facilitate greater cross-border electricity trade.

Mr Noma also highlighted the growing importance of energy security amidst geopolitical developments, including ASEAN’s vulnerability to disruptions in oil supplies from the Middle East and through the Strait of Hormuz. He introduced ERIA’s proposed ASEAN Regional Stockpiling Strategy, which assesses alternative stockpiling structures and aims to develop a phased implementation roadmap to strengthen the region’s energy security.

Dr Aladdin D. Rillo, Managing Director for Policy Design and Operations at ERIA, discussed the digital economy and artificial intelligence (AI) in ASEAN. He highlighted the potential of digital transformation to strengthen the competitiveness of ASEAN markets, expand access to digital goods and services, and support efforts to address sustainability challenges. At the same time, he noted persistent disparities in infrastructure, affordability, skills, talent, and regulatory frameworks, underscoring the importance of regional co-operation in building a more inclusive digital economy.

Dr Rillo also highlighted ERIA’s role in supporting the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), which is expected to be signed this year. Through its Digital Innovation and Sustainable Economy Centre (E-DISC), ERIA is positioning itself as a knowledge partner to support DEFA implementation through capacity-building programmes, country-specific support, and regional and international networks. He emphasised that effective implementation will be critical to translating the agreement into tangible benefits for ASEAN’s digital economy.

Prof. Nobuhiro Aizawa, Dean of the ERIA School of Government, introduced the School’s role in enabling participants to learn from governance experiences across Southeast Asia and to consider regional interests alongside national priorities. He outlined the School’s programmes, including fellowships, executive training, and leadership forums, which facilitate exchanges amongst policymakers and professionals and strengthen understanding of the region’s diverse policy experiences.

Prof. Aizawa also emphasised the importance of institutional memory in informing future policy design. Drawing on historical experiences and lessons from previous regional initiatives, he noted that understanding the past can provide a stronger foundation for developing policies and responding to emerging challenges, including in areas such as peacebuilding and post-conflict policy.

The session concluded with a lively Q&A, with participants engaging the speakers on energy security, regional co-operation, market integration, and ERIA’s role in providing evidence-based policy recommendations and strategic insights. The discussion also explored how ASEAN can become more future-ready rather than simply responding to crises, highlighting the importance of practical implementation, stronger monitoring mechanisms, country-specific research, and fresh perspectives from the region’s emerging diplomats.

The exchange underscored the value of connecting ASEAN’s next generation of policymakers with regional research and policy expertise, while strengthening their understanding of the opportunities for deeper regional co-operation.