Vientiane, 13 July 2024: ERIA was invited to participate in the Third Senior Economic Officials’ Meeting for the Fifty-Fifth ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting (SEOM 3/55) and related meetings, including the 27th CLMV-SEOM, the SEOM 3/55 and the SEOM Dialogue Partners' Consultation from 9 to 14 July 2024 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The Second SEOM–METI Consultation discussed, amongst other topics, the status of economic cooperation under the Future Design and Action Plan for Innovative and Sustainable ASEAN–Japan Economic Co-Creation 2023–2033. The meeting was chaired by Saysana Sayakone, Director General of the Department of Trade Negotiation and Economic Cooperation, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Lao PDR. Dr Aladdin D. Rillo, ERIA’s Managing Director for Policy Design and Operations, first presented the Masterplan for Next-Generation Automotive Industry, and then gave an update on E-DISC’s recent activities during the SEOM-METI Consultations.

In his presentation, Dr Rillo explained that the ‘Masterplan of ASEAN–Japan Next Generation Vehicle Industry’ is an ERIA study to respond to one of the ASEAN–Japan Co-Creation Initiatives resulting from the Commemorative Summit of the 50th Year of ASEAN–Japan Friendship and Cooperation last December 2023. The goal is to provide guidance for policymakers, industry players, and other stakeholders to enhance ASEAN’s automotive industry competitiveness, positioning it as a production and export hub for diversified automobile models. This approach considers the global market situation while aiming to meet decarbonisation targets.

Dr Rillo then presented the findings of the interim report of the Masterplan study, which started in May 2024 and is expected to be completed by September 2025. He explained that ASEAN’s automotive industry is expected to play a crucial role in decarbonisation as most of the ASEAN Member States have committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. To reach that objective, the latest ERIA Energy Outlook and Saving Potential Report suggests that, by 2050, ASEAN’s transport sector must decrease its energy use by 27% relative to the business-as-usual situation. One of the main measures to reduce carbon emissions is to switch to low-emission and highly efficient energy sources, technology, and systems that should be the core features of the next generation vehicles and automotive industry. In this transition, reaching an intermediate milestone by 2035 is crucial.

Dr Rillo also updated on the recent activities of the ERIA Digital Innovation and Sustainable Economy Centre (E-DISC), including the establishment of a Technology University Network with eight partner universities in ASEAN. Following the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoU), there have been joint workshops to strengthen collaborative efforts in addressing issues arising from the DEFA (ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement) negotiations. These workshops engage diverse stakeholders, including ERIA experts, ASEAN Secretariat representatives, policymakers, academics from partner universities, and relevant business sectors. E-DISC also provides the necessary platform for collaborative efforts, including public–private dialogues, workshops, networking events, and promoting digital talent development in ASEAN.

Dr Rillo proceeded to explain the One ASEAN Startup Award, which is E-DISC’s flagship initiative designed to cultivate the startup ecosystem throughout ASEAN. The objectives of the award are, first, to discover and highlight ASEAN-based startups that are expected to serve as role models for the future, and second, to identify the challenges and opportunities these startups are facing. Dr Rillo informed that there are three pre-events for the One ASEAN Startup Award: the Philippines Round on 23 April, the Malaysia Round on 25 June, and the Cambodia Round in August 2024. The final event, where the Best One ASEAN Startup will be awarded, will take place in Lao PDR in October, at the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit 2024.