Manila, 9 June 2025: ERIA President Tetsuya Watanabe met with His Excellency Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., Secretary of Agriculture of the Philippines, during an official visit to Manila.

President Watanabe reaffirmed ERIA’s strong commitment to supporting the Government of the Philippines, particularly in the lead-up to the country’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026. He also conveyed ERIA’s readiness to contribute to both national and regional priorities through policy research, knowledge exchange, and technical cooperation.

Secretary Laurel expressed appreciation for ERIA’s continued support for regional agricultural development and its active engagement in advancing cooperation across ASEAN.

Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration in key areas such as food security, sustainable and regenerative agriculture, and the digital transformation of the agricultural sector. Secretary Laurel highlighted his interest in strengthening cooperation with ERIA during the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairmanship.

The meeting concluded with a shared recognition of the vital role that closer coordination between ERIA and the Department of Agriculture can play in promoting regional prosperity and long-term sustainability.