European Union in ASEAN

🚀 First PSC meeting confirms right direction of SCOPE Trade
The first Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting of the EU-ASEAN SCOPE Trade project brought together project stakeholders including representatives from the ASEAN Member States, ASEAN Secretariat, the EU and ITC as implementing agency.
Key outcomes:
✔️ Reviewed Year 1 results
✔️ Aligned on priorities
✔️ Endorsed the Year 2 workplan
🌱 Cross-cutting priorities include gender inclusion and private sector engagement to ensure inclusive and effective outcomes.
With this endorsement, the project continues now its full speed implementation, advancing work on trade policy and facilitation, digital connectivity and sustainable value chains across ASEAN and between ASEAN and the EU.
💬 “The Project Steering Committee plays a critical role in guiding the implementation of SCOPE Trade, ensuring that activities remain aligned with ASEAN priorities and deliver concrete benefits across the region,” said Jerome Pons, EU Co-Chair.
🤝 As ASEAN and the EU deepen cooperation, strong coordination will be key to delivering tangible results, especially ahead of the 50th anniversary of ASEAN–EU relations in 2027.
🌏 EU-ASEAN SCOPE Trade is funded by the European Union under the Global Gateway, as part of the EU-ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity Package (SCOPE), and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC).
The project supports ASEAN in strengthening regulatory frameworks, dialogue and institutional capacities to promote fair and sustainable trade, deeper economic connectivity and more resilient value chains across the region.

Carbon pricing is gaining traction across ASEAN as countries explore pathways to cut emissions and mobilise green investment. 🌏 🌱

In Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, the EU and ASEAN convened for the two-day ASEAN Regional Workshop on Carbon Pricing and Carbon Markets. Participants exchanged views and experiences on the design and implementation of domestic carbon pricing instruments, while also discussing plans and challenges related to engaging in international carbon market under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

The focus: turning plans into action—strengthening understanding of carbon pricing instruments design features to assessing readiness for international carbon market cooperation under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
Building on EU experience, including lessons learned from the EU ETS, the workshop provided practical insights into domestic carbon pricing design, implementation and oversight.

This exchange is part of the EU’s Global Gateway approach, supporting sustainable investment and stronger partnership for the green transition.

The takeaway: growing regional interest in carbon pricing and international carbon markets creates new opportunities for stronger regional cooperation to support the development of effective carbon pricing instruments and credible carbon markets, delivering real impact. 🤝

Read the press release here:
https://www.eeas.europa.eu/CarbonPricing_CarbonMarkets_en

Faith-based leaders are uniquely positioned to be anchors of safety for those vulnerable to radicalisation. But they shouldn’t have to do it alone. 🤝

To truly prevent violent extremism online, these leaders need support, partnership, and capacity building. That’s why 50 faith leaders from across Asia gathered in Bangkok for the First Regional Forum of the Faith-Based Leaders Regional Dialogue Process on Preventing Violent Extremism in the Digital Space.

The forum echoed with powerful reminders of why this grassroots leadership matters now more than ever:

“The role of faith-based leaders is so important today. In a world shaped by misinformation, you remain a trusted source of guidance for many in your communities. You bring a level of trust, authority and human connection that technology cannot replicate. You are the guardians of tradition but also an important line of defence against exclusion and hatred”
— Frank Geens, EU Counterterrorism Expert to ASEAN

"Violent extremism grows where there is exclusion, injustice, discrimination, loneliness or loss of a sense of belonging. Technology amplifies these conditions... it requires people to build resilience against it"
— Niamh Collier-Smith, UNDP Resident Representative to Thailand

Organised by UNDP Asia Pacific and funded by the EU, this initiative is part of a broader partnership with UNODC