ERIA and Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren) held a Symposium entitled "Role of ERIA and Kansai-Japan towards the Establishment of Low-Carbon Society in the Growing Asia" in Osaka, Japan on November 9, 2010.

Mr. Hitoshi Shimozuma, Chairman of Kankeiren, and Mr. Hidetoshi Nishimura, Executive Director of ERIA, made their opening remarks. Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan delivered a keynote speech. Prof. Fukunari Kimura, Chief Economist of ERIA, Mr. Pushpanathan Sundram, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN , Mr. Atsuo Kuroda, Executive Board Member of JICA, and, Mr. Masayuki Matsushita ,Vice Chairman of Kankeiren participated in the Panel Discussion.

Dr. Surin emphasized in his keynote speech that the balance between Economic development and quality of life was critical. He expressed his delight over Japan's initiative to share its experience with East Asian countries. During the symposium, the possibilities of and challenges to support for the infrastructure development and capacity building in the field of environment and energy saving to ASEAN region from Kansai was discussed.

The Opening Ceremony of Support Office was conducted after the symposium. Based on the MOU between both parties concluded in November 2009, Kankeiren and ERIA reaffirmed further cooperation in the future.