ASEAN and EU Agree to Advance Energy Transition and Sustainable Growth

Jakarta (ANTARA) - ASEAN and the European Union (EU) have agreed to promote concrete actions to advance the energy transition and sustainable growth through regional collaboration and support for cohesive planning.

In the ASEAN-EU Sustainability Summit, held on the sidelines of the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Philippines, on Thursday, Indonesia assessed that such planning and collaboration are essential in efforts to integrate sustainable development principles into economic development.

“The only viable path forward is cohesive planning that integrates sustainability into every aspect of development,” said Deputy for Food, Natural Resources, and the Environment of the Ministry of National Development Planning/National Development Planning Agency (PPN/Bappenas) Leonardo Sambodo, who represented Indonesia at the event.

Thus, cooperation between the two regions becomes a key factor in opening new opportunities and realising joint commitments in sustainable development.

Meanwhile, the EU Ambassador to the Philippines, Massimo Santoro, stated that national ambitions in controlling climate and environmental change are often not aligned with financial capabilities in their implementation.

“Therefore, strengthening the relationship between ambitions and funding is crucial to turn policies into real impacts,” said Ambassador Santoro.

Finance Minister Go exemplified the EU-Philippines cooperation, which has been running well to date, now focusing on sustainability, climate, and inclusive growth sectors.

Deputy Chair and Executive Director of the Philippine Climate Change Commission (CCC) Robert Borje explained that the current energy crisis opens new opportunities for cooperation and investment in joint efforts to realise a greener future and energy sources.

The ASEAN-EU Sustainability Summit 2026 is organised by the EU-ASEAN Business Council and the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) with support from the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry under the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship in 2026.

The 48th ASEAN Summit, attended by leaders of Southeast Asian countries, will be held on Friday (8/5) Philippine time.