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First ASEAN -EU Cooperation and Scholarships Day, 2018 (Photo: EU Share)

European Union (EU) Ambassador to Asean Igor Driesmans has announced three new development cooperation projects with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for a total amount of EUR13 million (USD15.4 million), cited by Philippines News Agency.

The announcement of the new projects was made during the virtual opening of the third ASEAN -EU Cooperation and Scholarships Day. The event was jointly opened by the Secretary-General of Asen, H.E. Mr. Dato’ Lim Jock Hoi, together with Singapore’s Permanent Representative to ASEAN, H.E. Ms Kok Li Peng, and Driesmans.

According to the press release issued on Thursday, the three projects will support smart and sustainable urbanization, sustainable forest management, and ASEAN Supreme Audit Institutions.

Specifically, 5 million EUR will be provided for a project supporting smart and sustainable urbanization, another 5 million EUR for a scheme on sustainable forest management, and three million EUR for the ASEAN Supreme Audit Institutions. Important priority areas of cooperation are green growth, climate change, and the environment.

The new projects starting in 2020 will support sustainable urbanization, focusing on smart solutions enabled by digitalization and the use of technologies (Smart Green ASEAN cities, EUR5 million); support forest governance and sustainable timber licensing and trade across the region (FLEGT, EUR5 million); and strengthen regional capacity and raise awareness and implementation of international standards of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASEANSAI, EUR3 million).

The EU Ambassador stressed that the announcement of the three projects demonstrates the strong commitment of the EU and ASEAN to enhancing their partnership and cooperation despite the COVID-19 pandemic and global economic uncertainty, according to the Philippine Canadian Inquirer.

“I am very happy to announce today the start of three new EU-Asean cooperation programmes. The programmes will benefit the citizens of Asean by supporting smart and green cities, sustainable resource management in forestry, and transparency and accountability of governments,” Driesmans said.

“Team Europe” package of over €800 million for the ASEAN region (Photo: EEAS)

The EU is ASEAN’s most significant partner in development cooperation, supporting the region with 250 million EUR for regional integration programs between 2014-2020, in addition to 2 billion EUR in bilateral support to ASEAN member states.

In July 2020, to support partner countries in the fight against the coronavirus and its consequences, the European Union has announced to mobilize a “Team Europe” package of over €800 million for the ASEAN region, according to EEAS homepage. Following this “Team Europe” approach, the EU combines its resources with those of the EU Member States and financial institutions. The funds will support actions at country and regional level to address the immediate health crisis, strengthen health, water and sanitation systems, as well as mitigate the socio-economic impact.

ASEAN-EU Cooperation and Scholarships Day is an event where the EU, ASEAN and their Member States showcase EU-ASEAN development cooperation projects. (Photo: EU Share)

The 3rd ASEAN-EU Cooperation and Scholarships Day 2020

The 3rd ASEAN-EU Cooperation and Scholarships Day 2020 is an event where the EU, ASEAN, and their Member States showcase EU-ASEAN development cooperation projects and highlight opportunities to study abroad including scholarship opportunities, ranging from undergraduate to graduate and doctoral programs.

At the ASEAN-EU Cooperation and Scholarships Day, representatives from the EU, ASEAN, and their member states are exhibiting and presenting opportunities to study abroad as well as available scholarships, ranging from undergraduate to graduate and doctoral programs. EU-ASEAN development cooperation projects are also showcasing their activities.

Due to the current COVID-19s pandemic and associated public health regulations, this year’s Asean-EU Cooperation and Scholarships Day take place virtually over two days (Aug. 13 and 14).

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