Phnom Penh, 11 November 2021: The 13th ASEM plenary study ‘13th Asia Europe Meeting: Multilateral Cooperation for Resilient, Sustainable, and Rules-Based Future for ASEM’ was officially launched on 11 November in Phnom Penh by H. E. Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Kingdom of Cambodia.  Dignitaries from Asia and Europe and Ambassadors of ASEM member countries attended the book launch. The book launch was jointly organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Cambodia, National Institute of Diplomacy and International Relations, Cambodia, and ERIA.

Ms Anita Prakash, Senior Policy Advisor in the office of the President of ERIA made a brief presentation on the important findings in the study, especially those related to Asia Europe cooperation in trade and investment, connectivity, SDGs, digital economy, women and youth participation in the economy.

In his speech, President Hidetoshi Nishimura recalled ERIA‘s sustained contribution to the ASEM summit since 2016. He emphasised that the study conjoins Cambodia’s vision for ASEM with priority actions needed within focus areas to support the ASEM member countries to address the global and regional challenges together.  He further expressed ERIA’s willingness and readiness to support Cambodia’s activities as the chair of ASEAN in 2022.

In his speech, H. E. Prak Sokhonn appreciated ERIA’s work with saying that the study prepared by ERIA was very rich in content and has been endorsed at the highest level by the Prime Minister. H.E. Prak Sokhonn also mentioned the forthcoming Cambodia’s chairmanship of ASEAN and continued association with ERIA in 2022.

The ASEM Study was mentioned and endorsed by H.E. Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia in his plenary address at the 13th ASEM Summit on 25 November 2021.