Bern, 6-7 September 2024: ERIA participated in the annual World Trade Forum organised by the World Trade Institute and the European University Institute (EUI) in Bern, Switzerland. ERIA President Tetsuya Watanabe and Senior Policy Fellow Dr Intan M. Ramli, were featured speakers at the Plenary and Parallel Sessions, respectively.

During the Plenary Session, President Watanabe addressed sustainability and the green transition in ASEAN, highlighting the region’s perspective on the EU’s unilateral trade accountability measures. He emphasised that mutual understanding and dialogue are crucial in bridging policy gaps, particularly concerning the EU’s regulations such as the Deforestation Law, Due Diligence requirements, and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

Watanabe further stressed the need for recognising multiple pathways to sustainability, arguing that a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach cannot achieve a net-zero economy and that policies must not be imposed from one region onto another. He highlighted Southeast Asia’s existing policy instruments related to sustainability, including the ASEAN Carbon Neutrality Strategy, ASEAN Blue Economy Framework, and ASEAN Sustainable Palm Oil Initiative. Concluding his remarks, Watanabe called for ASEAN–EU cooperation to serve as a global model for equitable, inclusive, and just partnerships, fostering mutual learning and collaboration.

In the Parallel Session, Dr Ramli discussed the impact of environmental regulations on developing nations, particularly in ASEAN. She shared insights on how the region is navigating the challenges posed by sustainability and international regulatory frameworks.

Also speaking at the forum was Malaysia’s Minister of Higher Education, Zambry Abdul Kadir, who emphasised the role of higher education in securing future prosperity. He advocated for ASEAN to maintain neutrality and act as a mediator in global cooperation amid increasing global division and the rise of bipolar tendencies in world politics.

In addition to the forum, ERIA President Watanabe was invited by Minister Zambry to engage in meetings with universities and research institutions in Switzerland. These discussions provided an opportunity to explore Switzerland’s and the EU's successful models for human resource development, research, and technological advancement.