Vientiane, 21 September 2024: ERIA President Tetsuya Watanabe had a bilateral meeting with H.E. Tim Ayres, the Assistant Minister for Trade of Australia, in Vientiane, Lao PDR, on 21 September 2024. President Watanabe expressed gratitude to H.E. Ayres and the Australian Government for the renewed grant and appreciated their commitment to supporting the ERIA-Asia Zero Emission Center. The ERIA President also introduced ERIA's research activities and key priorities for the year to the Assistant Minister.

Both parties explored potential collaborations on energy transition, industrial policy issues, and the accession of Southeast Asian countries to the OECD. ERIA is committed to strengthening its relationship with Australia, one of its key member countries.