EU announces 3 new governance, urbanization projects with Asean

The EU is Asean’s most significant partner in development cooperation, supporting the region with EUR250 million for regional integration programmes between 2014-2020, in addition to EUR2 billion in bilateral support to Asean member states. (Pixabay photo)

MANILA – European Union (EU) Ambassador to Asean Igor Driesmans has announced three new development cooperation projects with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) for a total amount of EUR13 million (USD15.4 million).

According to press release issued on Thursday, the three projects will support smart and sustainable urbanization, sustainable forest management, and Asean Supreme Audit Institutions.

The EU is Asean’s most significant partner in development cooperation, supporting the region with EUR250 million for regional integration programmes between 2014-2020, in addition to EUR2 billion in bilateral support to Asean member states.

Important priority areas of cooperation are green growth, climate change and the environment.

The new projects starting in 2020 will support sustainable urbanization, focusing on smart solutions enabled by digitalization and the use of technologies (Smart Green Asean cities, EUR5 million); support forest governance and sustainable timber licensing and trade across the region (FLEGT, EUR5 million); and strengthen regional capacity and raise awareness and implementation of international standards of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASEANSAI, EUR3 million).

“I am very happy to announce today the start of three new EU-Asean cooperation programmes. The programmes will benefit the citizens of Asean by supporting smart and green cities, sustainable resource management in forestry, and transparency and accountability of governments,” Driesmans said.

With this announcement, Driesmans said the EU and Asean AN show their strong commitment to enhance their partnership and cooperation despite the coronavirus pandemic, and the resulting global economic uncertainties.

“In these difficult times, we show that cooperation, not isolation, is the way forward to address today’s urgent challenges including climate change and the coronavirus pandemic,” Driesmans added.

In direct response to the global coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, the EU has earlier mobilized a “Team Europe” package of over EUR800 million to assist Asean and its member states to address the immediate health crisis, and strengthen health, water and sanitation systems, as well as mitigate socio-economic impacts (see https://europa.eu/!qu97Yt).

The announcement of the new projects was made during the opening of the 3rd Asean-EU Cooperation and Scholarships Day, a virtual event highlighting connectivity in higher education as a key thematic area of EU-Asean cooperation.

The event was jointly opened by the Secretary-General of Asen, H.E. Mr Dato’ Lim Jock Hoi, together with Singapore’s Permanent Representative to Asean, H.E. Ms Kok Li Peng, and Driesmans.

“The annual convening of this event since 2018, even amidst the still ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, demonstrates the strong commitment of both Asean and the European Union to strengthen our cooperation in education. The EU has been Asean’s partner for 43 years. Over these past four decades, we have been steadfastly working together to fully realise an inclusive, sustainable, resilient, and dynamic Asean Community,” said Dato’ Lim Jock Hoi.

“Today we celebrate the enduring people-to-people ties between our regions. Despite the pandemic we have found ways to continue cooperation and building our relations. But now, students at all levels must contemplate disruptions or major changes in their pursuit of knowledge. I would like to express heartfelt appreciation to the EU for continuing to work with Asean on development and scholarships,” said Kok Li Peng.

At the Asean-EU Cooperation and Scholarships Day, representatives from the EU, Asean and their member states are exhibiting and presenting opportunities to study abroad as well as available scholarships, ranging from undergraduate to graduate and doctoral programmes. EU-Asean development cooperation projects are also showcasing their activities.

Due to the current Covid-19s pandemic and associated public health regulations, this year’s Asean-EU Cooperation and Scholarships Day takes place virtually over two days (Aug.

13 and 14).

This virtual exhibition fair attracted a total of 2,027 registrants which mainly consisted of youth across Asean and 22 participating exhibitors who provide various scholarship programs available in Asean and EU. (PR)