ERIA President Presents Initiative on Coordinated Industrial Policy at 32nd AEM Retreat

Manila, 13 March 2026: Tetsuya Watanabe, President of ERIA, participated in the 32nd ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Retreat held in Manila, the Philippines, at the invitation of the AEM Chair, H.E. Ma. Cristina Roque.

During the session with the ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), President Watanabe presented ERIA's flagship initiative titled Strengthening ASEAN's Economic Resilience: Towards Coordinated Industrial Policy. The presentation emphasised the importance of adopting a more holistic and regionally coordinated approach to strengthening ASEAN's industry and technology base. It highlighted how enhanced coordination in industrial policy could support greater economic resilience amidst evolving regional challenges and shifting global dynamics.

The presentation also addressed several cross-cutting challenges facing the region, including the rapid deployment of new technologies, the need for continued human capital development, climate and disaster risks, and demographic transitions across ASEAN Member States. It further underscored the growing importance of building resilient and secure supply chains.

President Watanabe noted that many of these challenges span multiple sectors and policy areas, highlighting the need for stronger coordination across ASEAN to ensure a more integrated and effective regional response. Addressing these cross-cutting issues will be essential to advancing sustainability and innovation, strengthening regional value chains, and supporting ASEAN's long-term economic resilience.

ERIA's proposal seeks to contribute by providing a policy framework to help align national industrial strategies with regional priorities. The initiative aims to support ASEAN in mobilising greater investment, strengthening regional value chains, and promoting deeper co-operation in areas such as digital transformation, the green transition, and technological innovation.

In addition to ERIA, other institutions - including the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) - also presented their initiatives to the ministers.

ERIA has regularly participated in AEM Retreat meetings in recent years as part of its continued support for ASEAN's economic co-operation and regional integration.