Brunei Darussalam, 26 October 2021: The 38th and 39th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits were held virtually from 26 to 28 October 2021. Many of the Summits focused on the discussion of the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework and its Implementation Plan, which serves as the region’s consolidated exit strategy from the COVID-19 pandemic. Several ERIA projects were recognised and commended in the official Statements.

ERIA Cited in Chairman’s Statement of the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summit

A Global ASEAN

66. We acknowledged the contribution of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) to ASEAN, in particular, its support to the development of Brunei Darussalam’s two (2) PEDs, namely the Framework on Circular Economy for the AEC; and the NTM Toolkit in cooperation with UNCTAD. We also appreciated ERIA’s assistance and support through research and studies that contribute to ASEAN’s economic priorities, including but not limited to the upgrade of the ATIGA, addressing issues pertaining to the mobility of professionals in ASEAN Member States especially in relation to the 4IR, the follow-up work on the ASEAN Seamless Trade Facilitation Indicators - Trade Transactions Cost (ASTFI-TTC II), and supply chain resilience.

ERIA Cited in Chairman’s Statement of the 24th 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 12th ASEAN Connectivity Symposium, with support from the ERIA, on 25 and 26 August 2021, respectively.
17. …. ASEAN expressed appreciation for Japan’s continued support to combat marine plastic debris through the ASEAN Plus Three Marine Plastics Debris Cooperative Action Initiative, as well as the efforts of the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris at the ERIA. ….

ERIA Cited in Chairman’s Statement of the 24th ASEAN Plus Three Summit

Review and Future Direction of APT Cooperation

27. We noted the successful convening of the ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating Committee (ACCC) Consultations with Dialogue Partners and Other External Partners on Connectivity and the 12 th ASEAN Connectivity Symposium, with support from the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), on 25 and 26 August 2021, respectively. 
28. …. We welcomed in particular activities of the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris (RKC-MPD) of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) to address the marine plastic issue, as well as collective efforts towards the achievement of Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP). We noted with appreciation the activities of the Private Sector FINAL 8 Platform by RKC-MPD to promote the collaboration between policymakers and business sectors to tackle the marine plastic issue.

ERIA Cited in Chairman’s Statement of the 16th East Asia Summit

Environment and Energy

8. We welcomed the productive outcomes of the 15th EAS Energy Ministers’ Meeting hosted by Brunei Darussalam on 16 September 2021 via videoconference. We noted with satisfaction the implementation of concrete initiatives in working towards a sustainable energy future for the EAS region under the three work streams of the EAS Energy Cooperation Task Force (ECTF), namely, Energy Efficiency and Conservation, Biofuels FINAL 3 for Transport and Other Purposes, and Renewable and Alternative Power Generation. We looked forward to the initiatives contributing to energy transition in the EAS region on the promotion of innovative technologies and low carbon societies, including hydrogen, carbon recycling, and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS). We welcomed the successful convening of the New Energy Forum by China via videoconference and looked forward to the convening of the Clean Energy Forum by China scheduled this year. We noted that there is no single pathway to achieve a low carbon economy, but rather there are diverse paths for each country. We emphasised the need to explore a variety of options and utilise all fuels and technologies to ensure a secure and stable supply of energy for achieving economic growth. We appreciated the continued contributions of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) in implementing the EAS Mid-Term Energy Policy Research Roadmap 2019 - 2021 for the three EAS ECTF work streams. We welcomed the successful convening of the 4th East Asia Energy Forum (EAEF4) co-organised by ERIA and Brunei Darussalam on 13 September 2021 via videoconference that focused on the low carbon energy transition in the ASEAN region. We looked forward for the convening of the 5th East Asia Summit Clean Energy Forum to be held in Chengdu, China on 25 – 26 November 2021. We also welcomed the successful convening of the 1 st Asia CCUS Network Forum co-hosted by ERIA and Japan on 22 – 23 June 2021 via videoconference, as well as the Asia Green Growth Partnership Ministerial Meeting hosted by Japan on 4 October 2021 via videoconference. We further encouraged enhancing EAS energy cooperation in line with the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase II: 2021-2025.

Economic Cooperation and Trade

23. We commended ERIA for its continued research and analysis on key regional economic issues that support economic integration and digital economy in the region. We welcomed the report of the 14th ERIA Governing Board Meeting held on 12 October 2021, which highlighted the approaches and strategies that promote physical and digital connectivity that ASEAN and East Asia should pursue to establish the “new normal” in ensuring a strengthened and resilient economic environment in the region. We encouraged ERIA to continue providing for the Chair of the ASEAN Summit and the EAS its support and targeted high-quality research and actionable policy recommendations that highlight and address the ERIA's paper on “Supply Chain Resilience and Post-Pandemic Recovery in the East Asia Summit region” to EAS Economic Ministers.

Note: Photo of the 16th East Asia Summit was published by the ASEAN Secretaria https://asean.org/chairmans-statement-of-the-16th-east-asia-summit/