Fourth Meeting of the ASEAN-France Development Partnership Committee: France Strengthens Partnership for Sustainable and Resilient Development in Southeast Asia

During the meeting, several key ongoing projects led by the French Development Agency (AFD) were highlighted:

• AQIP (Air Quality Improvement Program) This program supports ASEAN Member States in developing public policies to enhance air quality, in collaboration with the ASEAN Environment Division. It includes training, studies, and guidelines for managing fine particulate matter and creating a data management system to rigorously monitor pollution levels.
• Ship Waste Management Programme. In collaboration with the ASEAN Transport Division, this programme focuses on creating sustainable ship waste management policies in Southeast Asian ports, contributing to reduced marine pollution and supporting marine biodiversity conservation.
• PEEB ASEAN (Programme for Energy Efficiency in Buildings). This initiative supports the transition towards eco-friendly and climate-resilient buildings. In collaboration with the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), PEEB ASEAN focuses on energy efficiency measures that could potentially reduce CO₂ emissions from buildings by up to 40% in the ASEAN region.
• Multisectoral capacity building facility. In collaboration with the ASEAN External Relations Division, this facility aims to strengthen the ASEAN – France partnership beyond projects, through capacity building and dialogue, and to develop joint projects with ASEAN bodies. 

In addition, potential new projects were discussed. In particular an initiative related to  the ASEAN Power Grid (APG), in partnership with ACE and the ASEAN Energy Division, would aim to contribute with other partners to the establishment of an integrated regional power grid by 2045. The project will be supported by a €2.5 million grant.  Other prospective topics where addressed such as convergent policies between air quality and climate, biodiversity in wetlands, and gender mainstreaming in resilience to climate change.

These projects, whether foreseen or under implementation, demonstrate the commitment of France and ASEAN to deliver together on concrete actions on environmental sustainability and resilience in the face of climate change. The ASEAN-France Partnership Committee meeting underscores the importance of continued collaboration to contribute together to a sustainable, prosperous, resilient and inclusive future in the region and beyond. 

The meeting co-chairs also emphasized their shared commitment to advancing cooperation through new initiatives and programs tailored to meet the region’s growing sustainable development needs.

HE Mr. Fabien Penone, French Ambassador to Indonesia, Timor-Leste and ASEAN : 

“Today’s meeting demonstrated the firmness of France’s commitment and determination to be a reliable partner of ASEAN in the long run. France’s total financial commitment towards ASEAN has been doubled from 2023 to 2024, to reach 10 million euros. We are diversifying and deepening. the cooperation between France and ASEAN across the board. With AFD, we are implementing several projects on sustainable development (notably air quality, ship waste management, energy efficiency in buildings). Other projects will follow. In parallel, we have just established the ASEAN-France Fund to launch initiatives, that will complement those of AFD, to cover the three pillars of ASEAN activities (political security, economic, sociocultural affairs).”

Mr Jean-Pierre Marcelli, AFD Regional Director in South-East Asia :

"This fourth meeting of the ASEAN-France Development Partnership Committee highlights our rapidly developing joint agenda, characterized by dialogue, co-construction and effective implementation. I am pleased that this collaboration can contribute to a prosperous and shared sustainable development."

 

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