Jakarta, 7 June 2023: World-leading economic think tank ERIA celebrated its 15th anniversary with praise for its achievements from eminent personalities in the region.
 
The celebration marked an important milestone for ERIA and its journey in parallel with regional economic integration. More than 200 guests and a long list of luminaries took part in the event, among them the Secretary General of ASEAN, H.E. Dr Kao Kim Hourn; Dr Kasan, Head of Trade Policy Agency, the Ministry of Trade, Indonesia; Dr Riyatno, Deputy Chairman for Investment Cooperation, the Ministry of Investment, Indonesia; and Tan Sri Dr Rebecca Sta Maria, Executive Secretary of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
 
The celebratory remarks for this special occasion reflect ERIA’s comprehensive endeavours and success over the past 15 years in helping the economic community-building process in ASEAN and East Asia. Everyone was on the same page in saying that ERIA has played an important role in helping the countries in ASEAN and East Asia overcome social and economic crises, including the financial crisis in 2008 and the Covid-19 pandemic.

ERIA, they concurred, promotes trade cooperation among regional countries as the global environment becomes more fragmented. Its researches have helped policy-makers in ASEAN and East Asia articulate the causes and effects of emerging challenges, greatly assisting policy-makers to design efficient policies and measures.

As Secretary General of ASEAN Dr Kao Kim Hourn aptly put it, the celebration was an opportunity to express heartfelt gratitude to the man behind ERIA’s longstanding achievements — Professor Nishimura Hidetoshi — whose achievements were ‘amazing’ and symbolized the ‘collective endeavour’ of the region in deepening economic integration in ASEAN and East Asia. ‘He is very dynamic,’ Kim Hourn added.
 
Prof Nishimura is a well-known personality with a boundless passion for wanting to do everything for ASEAN. He has dedicated all of his energy in building ERIA into the world-class organization it is today. ‘It bears repeating that much of ERIA’s success has to do with the leadership of Prof Nishimura. He has elevated the stature of ERIA, ensuring that the work contributed significantly to ASEAN’s collective vision for the region,’ said APEC's Tan Sri Dr Rebecca of the outgoing president.
 
The APEC executive secretary is no stranger to ERIA. In 2016, she was appointed Senior Policy Fellow in charge of ERIA’s Policy Design Department. She was thus able to witness first hand Prof Nishimura’s love for and energy toward ASEAN. Together, they helped shape ERIA's research work, which contributed greatly to ongoing efforts in ASEAN to promote economic integration and wellbeing. 
 
Before she joined ERIA, Tan Sri Dr Rebecca was the chair of the ERIA Governing Board. ‘It is the face of Prof Nishimura that comes to mind,’ she said, citing a favourite proverb, ‘when eating fruit, remember the one who planted the tree.’ Prof Nishimura is a haiku poet. To express appreciation of his talent, Dr Cielito Habito, Chair of the 16th Governing Board, used ChatGPT to help him construct six haiku poems to congratulate him on his achievements.
 
The incoming President of ERIA, Prof Tetsuya Wanatabe, also praised his predecessor for his dedication and achievements. Prof Wanatabe pledged under his leadership to continue to build on the success of ERIA’s research as well as broaden its networks and engagement with all stakeholders, including the ASEAN Secretariat, think tanks, private sectors and universities, to strengthen ‘confidence and trust’ for the benefit of the ASEAN community and East Asia. 
 
To show their appreciation, ERIA’s personnel recorded video clips thanking Prof Nishimura for his leadership and generosity.