Jakarta, 4 September 2023: In a reaffirmation of their long-standing partnership, Mr Yoshiki Takeuchi, Deputy Secretary-General of the OECD, recently paid a visit to the ERIA office. Welcomed warmly by Prof Tetsuya Watanabe, President of ERIA, this visit highlights the enduring collaboration between the two organisations, solidified by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) renewed for the second time in 2021. The MoU underscores the significance of research collaboration on critical topics encompassing the environment, social development, SMEs, green growth, infrastructure, and connectivity.

Accompanied by a distinguished delegation including Ragnheiður Elín Árnadóttir, Director of the OECD Development Centre, Alexander Bohmer, Head of South Asia and Southeast Asia, Dr Massimo Geloso Grosso, Head of Office, Jakarta, Kensuke Molnar-Tanaka, Head of Asia Desk at the OECD Development Centre, and Prasiwi Ibrahim, Deputy Head of Asia Desk at the OECD Development Centre, the meeting between Prof Tetsuya Watanabe and Mr Takeuchi served as an opportunity to express mutual appreciation for the support provided by each organisation and explore potential avenues for future collaboration.

The visit culminated with a special tour of ERIA's newly inaugurated digital centre, known as the ERIA Digital Innovation and Sustainable Economy Centre (E-DISC). Officially launched in August, this center represents a significant milestone for ERIA. The OECD delegation, led by Mr Takeuchi, had the honour of being among the first to explore this digital hub, setting the stage for further cooperation between these influential organisations in the future.