Jakarta, 5 June 2025: The 18th Governing Board meeting of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) was held on 5 June 2025 at the ASEAN Secretariat. The Governing Board, ERIA's highest decision-making body, comprises the ASEAN Secretary-General and representatives from each of ERIA’s 16 member countries. The Board is responsible for overseeing ERIA’s management and approving its operations.

During the meeting, two new members were introduced: Ms Dina Kurniasari, Director of WTO Negotiations at Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade, and Ms Heidi Farah Sia, Acting Director General of the Department of Economic Planning and Statistics (DEPS) under Brunei Darussalam’s Ministry of Finance and Economy (MOFE).

In a pre-recorded video message, H.E. Dr Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, outlined the region’s key economic challenges, strategic priorities, and ERIA’s vital role. He noted that the global economy is at a turning point, shaped by intensifying geopolitical rivalries, rising protectionism, and shifting industrial strategies – all of which threaten trade, investment, and supply chain stability. He emphasised that ASEAN must respond by deepening economic integration and regional cohesion.

Dr Kao also called on ASEAN to adapt to evolving global trade dynamics, including unilateral tariffs and supply chain realignments. He cited frameworks such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) as mechanisms to expand market access, attract quality investment, and foster advanced manufacturing, digitalisation, and green technology – positioning ASEAN as a resilient and competitive economic hub.

He underscored ERIA’s contribution in providing critical policy analysis and aligning regional priorities with national development plans. ERIA's continued support will be pivotal as ASEAN advances towards the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, ensuring the region remains adaptive, inclusive, and future-ready.

ERIA President Tetsuya Watanabe presented ERIA’s key achievements and outlined five major initiatives:

1. Regional Economic Policy – Support for the newly established ASEAN Geoeconomics Task Force (led by Indonesia and Malaysia), including a study on recent tariffs’ impact on Southeast Asia and strategies for regional response.
2. Energy and Climate – Contributions to ASEAN’s decarbonisation efforts via the Asia Zero Emission Center, support for Malaysia’s ASEAN Power Grid initiative, and development of the ASEAN Carbon Market Ecosystem Roadmap.
3. Innovation and Social Policy – Ongoing work on digital innovation (including AI roadmaps and startup support), public health, human resource development, marine plastic reduction, and food security.
4. Leadership Development – The ERIA School of Government, established last year, is emerging as a key regional platform. Notably, former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen recently delivered a lecture on peace, leadership, and development.
5. Support for Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship – Research support covering ASEAN–GCC relations, semiconductor supply chains, tourism, electric vehicles, and carbon markets.

ERIA’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr Toru Furuichi, presented the institute’s new organisational structure designed to meet growing regional demands. He also delivered the FY2024 Financial Statement and FY2025 Budget Proposal, both of which were unanimously approved by the Governing Board.

Senior ERIA researchers provided updates on their respective domains. Dr Aladdin Rillo, Managing Director for Policy Design and Operation; Mr Reo Kawamura, Director for Environmental Policy and the Regional Knowledge Center for Marine Plastic Debris; Dr Nuki Agya Utama, Director for Energy Policy and Head of the Asia Zero Emission Center; and Prof. Nobuhiro Aizawa, Dean and Managing Director of the ERIA School of Government, presented their current projects and work plans. Dr Manami Uechi, Director of Healthcare Services, also briefed members on developments in regional healthcare cooperation.

Under the leadership of Governing Board Chairperson Ramon M. Lopez, the Governors deliberated on pressing issues shaped by the evolving global economic and political landscape. The Board commended ERIA’s pivotal role in providing timely, high-quality research and policy support, noting that such efforts are essential to strengthening ASEAN’s capacity for sustainable and inclusive green economic growth.

In the afternoon session, Jakarta-based ambassadors and representatives from ASEAN and its dialogue partners joined discussions with ERIA experts. Dr Intan Murnira Ramli, Senior Policy Fellow, provided a briefing on the outcomes of the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur and ERIA’s technical contributions. Participants also exchanged views on current regional economic challenges and outlooks.