ERIA: Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia

12/06/2026

On the sidelines of the ASEAN Future Forum 2026, ERIA President Tetsuya Watanabe joined heads of international delegations in a meeting with H.E. To Lam, President of Viet Nam, to discuss regional co-operation and ASEAN's long-term development goals.

12/06/2026

ERIA actively contributed to strategic discussions at the ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) 2026, held from 9–10 June in Ha Noi, Viet Nam.

Now in its third year, the annual forum was convened under the theme ‘Shaping Our Future Together: Peace, Prosperity, People-Centred.’ The 2-day event brought together heads of state, ministers, policymakers, and leading experts from across the region to discuss collective ASEAN strategies for navigating an increasingly complex geopolitical and economic environment.

On the first day, ERIA President Tetsuya Watanabe participated as a panellist in Plenary Session 1, ‘Resilience and Unity in a Changing World.’ The discussion focused on the challenges ASEAN faces amidst intensifying great-power competition and evolving multilateral dynamics.

The ERIA President stressed that preserving ASEAN centrality requires a transition from fragmented national approaches toward more co-ordinated regional industrial policies. He argued that stronger institutional cohesion would enhance ASEAN’s resilience against supply chain disruptions and geopolitical uncertainty.

Other sessions explored forward-looking issues including conflict prevention, where participants discussed diplomatic mechanisms and preventive approaches to address emerging security challenges and territorial disputes. Discussions on inclusive artificial intelligence adoption examined the infrastructure, talent, and governance frameworks needed to ensure that the benefits of digital transformation are shared equitably across ASEAN by 2030.

Energy security and resilience were central themes on the second day of the forum. Dr Venkatachalam Anbumozhi, ERIA Senior Research Fellow for Innovation, participated as a speaker, highlighting the growing interdependence between energy security, economic growth, and climate commitments.

Drawing on ERIA research, Dr Anbumozhi outlined how strategic oil stockpiling and the operationalisation of the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA) could help shield the region from energy price volatility and its cascading impacts on manufacturing and agricultural sectors.

12/06/2026

The ASEAN High-Level Forum on Unlocking the Silver Economy was held in Pasay City. Hosted by the Government of the Philippines as part of its ASEAN Chairship 2026 through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the event was co-supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), and ERIA.

The forum explored the challenges and opportunities of the silver economy for ASEAN, including the contributions of older persons to the region’s economic development. A key outcome of the forum is the development of an ASEAN framework and roadmap for the silver economy, one of the deliverables under the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community pillar during the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship in 2026.

In his remarks, ERIA President Tetsuya Watanabe underscored the potential of the silver economy as a driver of sustainable and inclusive growth in the region.

Since 2018, ERIA has conducted longitudinal studies on ageing and health in the Philippines and Viet Nam, generating evidence to support policymaking on active and healthy ageing in the region. Through the Financial Sustainability of Integrated Care for Older Persons in ASEAN (FISCO) initiative, ERIA has also examined the long-term financial sustainability of integrated care systems for older persons across ASEAN, drawing lessons from East Asia and modelling future policy scenarios.

The forum featured plenary and panel discussions, with ERIA leading two sessions under the theme ‘Making the Silver Economy Work: Investment, Technology, and Financing’. Presentations were delivered by representatives from ASEAN Member States, national and local governments, and international organisations, including the ASEAN Centre for Active Ageing and Innovation (ACAI), UNESCAP, UNFPA, the Global Coalition on Aging (GCOA), the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC), AgeTech, Nurse and Craft, the Private Pension Administrator, and ERIA.

08/06/2026

08/06/2026

Rising import dependence and concentrated supply routes have left ASEAN increasingly vulnerable to external shocks – and current stockpiling levels are not enough to respond in real time. 📈⚠️

On 15 April 2026, President Marcos called on ASEAN to act: expand strategic reserves, pursue joint stockpiling, and move from analysis to implementation.

Because stockpiles are the only instrument that can deliver immediate physical supply when it matters most. 🛢️⚡

Read the full policy brief on ERIA's website. (Link in bio)

06/06/2026

The ASEAN Plus Three (ASEAN+3) region continues to experience rapid economic growth and population increase, accompanied by the growing challenge of waste generation. Plastic pollution, recognized as one of the world’s most pressing environmental issues, has made the ASEAN+3 region a major hotspot for marine plastic debris leakage. At the same time, the volume of electrical and electronic waste (E-waste) continues to rise, while only a limited proportion is properly managed in accordance with regulations, raising concerns over environmental impacts and occupational health and safety risks.

Since October 2019, ERIA’s Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris (RKC-MPD) has been conducting research, promoting knowledge-sharing, and disseminating policy-relevant information to support regional efforts in addressing these environmental challenges and advancing the transition toward a circular economy.

This symposium will present key findings from ERIA’s research activities on circular economy transition in Asia, focusing on plastic pollution countermeasures, E-waste management, and the current status and future prospects of end-of-life vehicle dismantling and recycling. The symposium will also provide a platform for dialogue and exchange among experts and stakeholders. In addition, the event will introduce the ASEAN Plastic Book, a forthcoming 22-chapter handbook that examines the current status and future outlook of plastic pollution countermeasures across the ASEAN+3 region.
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ASEAN+3地域では、急速な経済成長と人口増加が続く一方で、廃棄物の増加が大きな課題となっています。特にプラスチック汚染は、世界的な環境問題の一つとして認識されており、ASEAN+3地域は海洋プラスチックごみ流出の主要なホットスポットとなっています。また、電気電子機器廃棄物（E-waste）の発生量も増加を続けていますが、法令に基づき適切に処理されている割合は限定的であり、環境面および労働安全衛生面でのリスクが懸念されています。

こうした課題に対応するため、ERIA海洋プラスチックごみに関する地域ナレッジセンター（RKC-MPD）は2019年10月の設立以来、調査研究、知見共有、政策提言に資する情報発信を通じて、地域における循環経済への移行を支援してきました。

本シンポジウムでは、ERIAが実施してきた循環経済移行に関する調査研究成果を紹介し、プラスチック汚染対策、E-waste管理、廃自動車の解体・リサイクルの現状と今後の展望について議論します。また、専門家や関係者による意見交換の場を提供するとともに、ASEAN+3地域におけるプラスチック汚染対策の現状と将来展望をまとめた全22章からなる「ASEAN Plastic Book」も紹介予定です。

Registration | 参加登録: https://event.event-planner.net/event/bundlesite/-64ghji2

04/06/2026

On 2 June 2026, The ERIA School of Government hosted H.E. José Ramos-Horta, President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, for the fourth ERIA School of Government Leadership Lecture Series in Jakarta.

The lecture featured an interactive dialogue on the theme ‘Leadership in Dangerous Times: Human Rights, Nation-Building, and Regional Diplomacy.’ Drawing on his experience as a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, diplomat, and one of the key figures in Timor-Leste’s journey to independence and state-building, President Ramos-Horta shared reflections on leadership, reconciliation, and regional co-operation in an increasingly complex world.

During the lecture, President Ramos-Horta reflected on Timor-Leste’s long journey from conflict to independence and its efforts to build lasting peace with its neighbours. Drawing from decades of diplomatic engagement, he emphasised that reconciliation requires political courage, patience, and a willingness to look beyond the grievances of the past.

Beyond Timor-Leste’s own experience, President Ramos-Horta addressed ongoing conflicts in Myanmar and the Middle East. He reiterated his long-held belief that dialogue and sustained diplomatic engagement remain essential for resolving even the most difficult conflicts, while cautioning against approaches that prioritise confrontation over reconciliation.

Looking ahead to Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN, President Ramos-Horta expressed confidence that the country could contribute its own experience in reconciliation, dialogue, and peacebuilding to the regional community.

‘ASEAN has demonstrated that countries with different histories, cultures, and political systems can work together in pursuit of common goals,’ he said. ‘Timor-Leste hopes to contribute its own experience in reconciliation and nation-building as we deepen our engagement with the region.’

The event was attended by diplomats, government officials, academics, and policy experts, reaffirming the ERIA School of Government’s commitment to cultivating future leaders and advancing dialogue on peace, governance, and regional co-operation across Southeast Asia.

04/06/2026

04/06/2026

ERIA, in collaboration with Indonesia’s Ministry of Health (MoH), convened the National Essential Diagnostics List (NEDL) Technical Working Group (TWG) Verification Workshop as part of the process to finalise and validate Indonesia’s NEDL document.

Supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office Indonesia and the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), the workshop brought together members of the NEDL Technical Working Group from relevant MoH directorates, public health experts, representatives of public health and clinical laboratories, professional associations, research and academic institutions, and development partners.

The workshop formed part of a broader consultation process led by the MoH, which has included assessments of disease burden data, diagnostic capacity, national clinical guidelines, and adaptation of the WHO Essential Diagnostics List (EDL) to Indonesia’s healthcare context. The objective was to ensure that the NEDL recommendations are evidence-based, technically robust, and implementable across all levels of the national health system.

03/06/2026

From an idea shared amongst regional leaders to a community of more than 200 colleagues across the region. From our first publication to hundreds of research outputs informing policy discussions and regional dialogue. 🌏

Over the past 18 years, ERIA has grown alongside ASEAN and East Asia, driven by a shared commitment to regional integration, sustainable development, and stronger co-operation.

Today, we celebrate not only an institution, but also the people, partnerships, and ideas that have shaped ERIA’s journey.

Happy 18th Anniversary, ERIA. Here’s to the milestones achieved and the many more still to come. ✨🎉