EU-ASEAN think tank exchange

Summary

In 2021, The Clingendael Institute and the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace started a three-year project focusing on digital connectivity (2021), the ASEAN perspective on the Indo-Pacific (2022), and climate adaptation (2023). This project is supported by the European Union and the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Acting on the opportunities and disruptions that accompany the digital transition and transformation globally is in the best interest of the ASEAN and the EU. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a hasty adoption of technology that is unlikely to reverse. The US-China trade-tech-data standoff is causing additional concerns, as the EU and ASEAN countries have to pragmatically choose technological instruments that are economically sensible but also secure to use.

The aim to guide the region towards a digitally enabled economy and society has been reflected in the 2021 ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025. Over the past few years, the Clingendael Institute and CICP released several publications and organised meetings to create mutual understanding and better connect experts from each region respectively. Below is an overview of the publications and meetings.

Expert meetings

• Conference on EU-ASEAN cooperation in Cambodia 
• EU-ASEAN digital connectivity: why, how and what?
• Twin transition Green & Digital in EU-ASEAN partnership
• Turning the tide in troubled waters: EU-ASEAN cooperation on climate adaptation 

Publications

• Plugging Green Power into the EU-ASEAN Partnership 
• Navigating the climate crisis together: EU-ASEAN cooperation on climate adaptation