JAKARTA – EU-ASEAN businesses and cooperation agencies discussed the opportunities and challenges of ASEAN’s green transition during a Partners’ Dialogue hosted by the Delegation of the European Union to ASEAN.
During the forum held on Tuesday, the Ambassador of the European Union to ASEAN, Sujiro Seam; businesses; cooperation agencies; and representatives of EU-ASEAN institutions, engaged in a sharing session on ASEAN’s green transition and the transformative impact of the Global Gateway strategy.
Launched in 2021, the Global Gateway strategy is the EU’s strategy to boost infrastructure investments in five key areas: digitalisation, energy, transport, health, as well as education and research.
It aims to support the green and digital transitions around the world and to tackle global challenges such as climate change, global health security, sustainable development and stronger supply chains.
Global Gateway has the ambition to mobilise €300 billion worldwide, building on commitments from all Team Europe partners – the European Union, its member states and finance institutions, as well as the private sector.
“This year, we launched a €60 million package of new connectivity projects to support an enabling environment for quality and sustainable investments in the region,” said Ambassador Seam.
“Under the umbrella of this package contributing to the Global Gateway in ASEAN, we have new projects planned or starting in areas such as investment, trade, higher education, transport, energy connectivity and digitalisation.
“The EU has always recognised the importance of our partnership with the private sector. The EU and ASEAN are currently each other’s third largest trading partners, and the EU is also the third largest external provider of foreign direct investment to the ASEAN region,” the envoy added.
Sunita Lukkhoo, head of the European Investment Bank (EIB) regional representation for Southeast Asia and Pacific, said the EIB plans to play a pivotal role in supporting ASEAN’s green transition.
“Through the Global Gateway strategy, the EIB reaffirms its commitment to financing sustainable infrastructure projects that drive digitalisation, energy efficiency, and resilient transport systems. Our investments are designed to not only tackle climate change but also to stimulate economic growth and innovation across the region.
“By leveraging our financial expertise and resources, the EIB is dedicated to building a sustainable, more connected, and prosperous future for ASEAN.”
Learn more about the Global Gateway strategy and its implementation in ASEAN here. More information on the EU’s cooperation on connectivity with ASEAN can also be found here.