Jakarta, 16 January 2025: ERIA hosted a visit from Professor Jeffrey Sachs, renowned economist at Columbia University and President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN SDSN), at its Jakarta office on 16 January 2025.

Accompanying him were Professor Woo Wing Thye and Emma Torres, Vice Presidents of UN SDSN for Asia and the Americas, respectively. ERIA’s Chief Operating Officer, Toru Furuichi, welcomed the delegation alongside Dr Nuki Agya Utama (Director for Energy Policy), Dr Lili Yan Ing (Senior Economist), Dr Alloysius Joko Purwanto (Energy Economist), and Dr Han Phoumin (Senior Energy Economist).

The visit facilitated discussions on sustainability challenges and opportunities in ASEAN and neighbouring regions, with a focus on collaboration to advance sustainable development and economic growth. Key discussion points included:

• The Urgency of a Long-term Plan for Sustainable Development

Prof. Sachs highlighted the accelerating pace and severity of climate change, urging all nations, including previous skeptics, to adopt comprehensive sustainable development plans. These should include decarbonisation strategies, zero-emission targets, and clean energy transitions.

ERIA presented its initiatives, such as the Asia Zero Emission Center (AZEC), which focuses on energy transition, financing clean energy projects, and the ASEAN Interconnection Masterplan Study (AIMS). Prof. Sachs emphasised that long-term planning is critical as the impacts of climate change are proving to be more damaging than anticipated.

• Regional Partnership for Decarbonisation and Zero Emissions

Prof. Sachs commended the establishment of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) by ASEAN+6 as a demonstration of the benefits of regional collaboration over fragmented economies. He stressed that decarbonisation strategies require collective effort, as climate change is a global issue that impacts everyone.

ERIA showcased the AIMS project and discussed the challenges and opportunities ASEAN faces in pursuing sustainable energy transitions. The conversation included the prospect of a single electricity market for ASEAN, along with the logistical and technical hurdles involved in implementing such a system.

Prof. Sachs urged research institutions to offer clear, actionable guidance to policymakers and underscored the importance of innovative financing solutions to support long-term sustainable development goals.

ERIA expressed optimism that this visit would pave the way for future collaborations with the UN SDSN, fostering initiatives that contribute to sustainable economic projects in ASEAN and beyond.