The third EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum was held in Brussels on 2 February 2024. The Forum was chaired by Josep Borrell Fontelles, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/ Vice-President of the European Commission. It brought together around 70 participants from the EU institutions and EU Member States, Indo-Pacific countries, and a number of regional organisations from across the Indo-Pacific region from the East coast of Africa to the Pacific island states.

Following the meetings of the Ministerial Forum in Paris in February 2022 and Stockholm in May 2023, the third Forum in Brussels allowed for the further intensification of the partnerships between the EU and the countries of the Indo-Pacific. The Forum has now become a regular event in the international calendar.
To face global challenges, the prosperity and security of the EU and Indo-Pacific countries are increasingly linked. They therefore have a shared interest to work together to enhance their economic, political, societal, climate and environmental resilience. The participants reaffirmed their determination:

• to uphold the rules based international order, the principles of the UN Charter, and international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and to support security and stability in a free and open Indo-Pacific;
• to work for inclusive and sustainable economic growth and human development;
• to fight, mitigate, and adapt to climate change, promote and accelerate the green energy transition , tackle biodiversity loss and strengthen ocean governance.

The Forum welcomed the positive developments in the partnerships between the EU and Indo-Pacific countries and organisations since the last meeting in May 2023, such as the signature of the Samoa Agreement by the EU and its African, Caribbean and Pacific Partners, the numerous agreements and announcements on infrastructure investments for the Indo-Pacific made during the recent Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, the decision of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) to welcome the EU as a Dialogue Partner the decision of the EU to join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), as well as the strengthening of the EU-ASEAN Strategic Partnership reaffirmed during the Ministerial meeting held back-to-back with the Indo-Pacific Forum. Participants also acknowledged the contributions of Japan and India, as Chairs of the G7 and G20 in 2023, to addressing issues of concern to the Indo-Pacific, and noted that Italy and Brazil’s chairing of these fora in 2024 will offer further opportunities to advance common agendas.

The Forum was also an opportunity to take stock of the progress in the implementation of the EU’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, build on the ongoing roll-out of Global Gateway in the Indo-Pacific region and to chart the way ahead.

Participants discussed how to enhance cooperation and deepen solidarity in three parallel roundtables, building on recently achieved landmarks:

1. SHARED PROSPERITY, ECONOMIC RESILIENCE, AND INVESTMENTS

Participants stressed the importance of working together to build robust, diversified and integrated supply and value chains, promote sustainable investment and trade, strengthen sustainable and trusted connections, and support social protection and inclusive growth.

Following the recent signature of the EU-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Kenya, the EU referred to its intention to pursue the extension of its network of FTAs with Indo-Pacific partners through the ongoing negotiations with Australia, Indonesia, Eastern and Southern Africa, India and Thailand, the possible relaunch of negotiations with other ASEAN partners, as well as the potential extension of the EU-Pacific Economic Partnership Agreement to additional Pacific partners. Partnerships were being enhanced in the field of critical raw materials both bilaterally and multilaterally.

Participants recognised the importance of strengthening their mutual economic resilience in a world that is increasingly dependent on digital technologies and services. The EU-India Trade and Technology Council and the Digital Partnerships with Japan, the Republic of Korea and Singapore are supporting advanced cooperation in the areas of technology research and innovation, secure international connectivity, supply chain resilience, digital regulation and skills. Digital trade rules have also been concluded or are being negotiated between the EU and a number of Indo-Pacific countries. The EU and Japan have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to support secure and resilient submarine connectivity. Overall cooperation on research and innovation is also pursued as a way to strengthen the ties with the Indo-Pacific Region in compliance with key R&I values and principles.

Across the Indo-Pacific region, Global Gateway is delivering and reinvigorating partnerships promoting sustainable connectivity such as the ASEAN/South East Asia Sustainable connectivity Team Europe Initiative, the construction of fibre optic cables in Southern and Eastern Africa to connect schools, hospitals and government institutions, as well as initiatives with Bangladesh, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand.

2. THE GREEN TRANSITION – PARTNERING FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Participants highlighted the importance of advancing their green transition in order to achieve their pledges to reach net-zero economies by mid-century. The COP28 stocktake sets forth several elements for stronger climate action to cut global greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030 (compared with 2019 levels). The operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund, to which the EU has pledged over half the initial funding, creates an historic opportunity to support developing countries including in the Indo-Pacific to strengthen their resilience to the effects of climate change. Tripling of renewable energy capacity and doubling of energy efficiency improvements by 2030 and transitioning away from fossil fuels as called for by all Parties in the COP28 stocktake and through the Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge reinforce the strong commitment across the two regions to cooperate in accelerating the green energy transition.

Joint initiatives through the Global Gateway are being implemented to address the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, environmental degradation, and energy security, including the Green Blue Alliance for the Pacific, the ASEAN/South-East Asia Green TEI, and the Climate Change Adaptation & Resilience in Africa TEI. The EU has been contributing with G7 partners to the Just Energy Transition Partnerships with Indonesia, South Africa and Vietnam. The JETP Vietnam is supported by the International Partners Group, co-led by the EU and the UK, and is expected to mobilise USD 15.5 billion of public and private finance. The EU is currently the largest provider of grant support to the JETP Vietnam with €176 million. The European Investment Bank and Vietnam also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a €500 million commitment to support Vietnam’s energy transition. During COP28, the Resource Mobilisation Plan of the JETP Vietnam was also endorsed. As regards Indonesia, the EU together with EU Member States and the EIB committed €3.3 billion, mostly through concessional loans, in support to the JETP through the International Partnership Group led by the US and Japan.

In addition, within the EU-Japan Green Alliance, a Memorandum of Cooperation on Hydrogen had been signed; while projects supporting the implementation of the EU-Republic of Korea Green Partnership are being implemented. The first ministerial meeting of the EU-India Trade and Technology Council launched cooperation on research and innovation in green and clean technologies. Furthermore, agreements were signed between the EU, EIB and Bangladesh worth €400 million for renewable energy projects, including an EU-guaranteed EIB loan of €350 million, complemented by a €45 million package of technical assistance and investment grant and accompanied by the Green Energy Transition project worth €12 million (€7 million co-financed by Germany). On the occasion of the first Africa Climate Summit organised in Nairobi, the EU and Kenya launched the Green Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap for Kenya, with the support of Global Gateway.

Participants also emphasised that the protection of the oceans was a vital task. They therefore stressed the importance of cooperation towards the entry into force of the UN Biodiversity beyond National Jurisdiction Treaty. In addition, as plastics pollution is a major challenge, collaborative efforts were needed to ensure progress towards an internationally binding agreement in line with the UN Environment Assembly mandate.

3. GEOPOLITICAL AND SECURITY CHALLENGES IN THE INDO-PACIFIC

Participants recognised that the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific are increasingly interlinked. Growing tensions in the South and East China Seas and in the Taiwan Strait, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, as well as recent grave developments in the Middle East, are affecting global security and have a direct impact on the prosperity of both Europe and the Indo-Pacific. The EU and the countries of the Indo-Pacific therefore have a clear interest to work together to reinforce respect for international law and the rules-based international order, promote a free and open Indo-Pacific and address global challenges.

Partnerships, practical cooperation and capacity-building are needed to enhance resilience when faced with today’s security challenges. High level security and defence dialogues and consultations are held between the EU and several countries in the Indo-Pacific. The EU and Japan and the Republic of Korea respectively have the intention to develop security partnerships. Dedicated sectoral dialogues between the EU and Indo-Pacific partners also serve to intensify cooperation on maritime security, cybersecurity, counterterrorism, space, crisis management and conflict prevention and in countering hybrid threats and foreign information manipulation and interference.

The EU confirmed its commitment to enhance its engagement through several practical means, including the implementation of the Coordinated Maritime Presences in the North West Indian Ocean, meant to optimise the use of EU Member States’ naval assets deployed to the region; as well as by planning to increase the number of joint naval exercises and port calls with Indo-Pacific partners. The EU is exploring in a Team Europe approach actions to strengthen the safety and resilience of global port infrastructures in South and South East Asia.

Following attacks on commercial maritime transport in the Red Sea by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, the EU and international partners including from the Indo-Pacific are undertaking action to protect merchant vessels in this sea lane of communication in the interest of international commerce and maritime security. The preservation of freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden is of key importance to the region and the world.

The EU and Seychelles have concluded a “legal finish agreement” facilitating the transfer by a Member State of the EU of persons arrested and detained under Seychelles’ national law for participating, off the coast of Somalia, in violation of the United Nations arms embargo on Somalia or in narcotic drugs trafficking. In addition, several projects are dedicated to delivering tangible results in the area of maritime security (e.g. CRIMARIO II, ESIWA, “Safe Seas for Africa”).

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Participants saw the clear interest in continuing to hold meetings of the Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum on a regular basis.

Annex

Concrete cooperation between the EU and the Indo-Pacific region
Progress achieved across all seven priority areas of the EU Indo-Pacific Strategy

In today’s challenging geopolitical landscape, working closely with partners in the Indo-Pacific remains a key priority for the EU. Since the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forums in Paris (February 2022) and Stockholm (May 2023), the EU has continued to cooperate with regional partners to advance outcomes across all seven priority areas of the EU Indo-Pacific Strategy. EU’s Global Gateway is already operationalizing its offer on digital, climate & energy, transport, health, education & research and delivering for the Indo-Pacific.

The EU has enhanced its engagement with Indo-Pacific partners by strengthening ties with regional fora and initiatives, and by deepening research and innovation collaborations. Such regional ties and cooperative innovation are crucial for advancing a shared approach to regional and global challenges.

On 15 November 2023, the EU and its Member States signed a new Partnership Agreement with the Members of the Organisation of the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS). Known as the “Samoa Agreement”, it provides an overarching legal framework for EU relations with OACPS members for the next twenty years and will better equip the parties to address emerging needs and global challenges, such as climate change, ocean governance, migration, health, peace and security. The Pacific-EU Regional Protocol and the Africa-EU Regional Protocol will allow for the enhancement of dialogue and cooperation between the EU and its Pacific and African partners.

On 25 October 2023 at the Global Gateway Forum, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched negotiations on a new EU-Bangladesh Partnership and Cooperation Agreement to expand and develop the bilateral relationship.

On 11 October 2023, the Council of Ministers of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) approved the EU’s request to become a Dialogue Partner. On 23 October 2023, the EU joined the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), an open, non-treaty based, global initiative aimed at addressing common challenges in the region. On 25-26 October, the Global Gateway Forum debated global infrastructure investment needs also in the Indo-Pacific region, discussed strategic investment opportunities and signed agreements for hundreds of millions.

Sustainable and inclusive prosperity

The EU is working with Indo-Pacific partners to reinforce value chains by strengthening and diversifying trade relations, implementing existing trade agreements, finalising ongoing trade negotiations and developing cooperation in strategic sectors.

On 9 July 2023, the EU and New Zealand signed their Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The new FTA will open significant economic opportunities for companies and consumers on both sides. It also includes unprecedented sustainability commitments, including respect for the Paris Climate Agreement and core labour rights.

The EU has resumed FTA negotiations with India and Thailand (since 2022 and 2023 respectively), and is undertaking a stocktaking/scoping exercise with a view to potentially resume negotiations with Malaysia and the Philippines. FTA negotiations have been ongoing with other Indo-Pacific partners, including Australia and Indonesia, and comprehensive trade agreements have already been concluded with Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore and Vietnam.

The EU and Kenya signed a landmark Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) on 18 December 2023. It will provide full liberalisation of the EU market for Kenyan products and thereby boost trade in goods and create new economic opportunities. The agreement is the most ambitious economic partnership agreement the EU has signed with a developing country in terms of sustainability provisions.

Progress were made in 2023 in the negotiations to deepen the Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, the Seychelles and Zimbabwe, the five Eastern and Southern African (ESA) partners.

In the Pacific, several countries (Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands) have already successfully signed the EU-Pacific Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). Tonga, Timor-Leste and Tuvalu are in the process of joining the EPA, while other countries (Vanuatu Niue, and Kiribati) have flagged their interest to join in the near future.

At the Global Gateway Forum in October 2023, a Global Gateway package was signed with Somalia to address key development and state-building challenges.

On 6 July 2023, the European Commission and the Japan Organisation for Metals and Energy Security signed an Administrative Arrangement on Cooperation in Critical Raw Materials Supply Chains. The agreement will allow both sides to share information and deepen understanding in key areas, particularly in supply chain risk management, innovation, and recycling and circularity frameworks.

Since 2022, more than 350 grants under the Horizon Europe Framework Programme have been signed with participants from the Indo-Pacific region, with several more under preparation.

On 9 July 2023, New Zealand joined Horizon Europe. Researchers and organisations in New Zealand are now able to participate in Pillar II of the programme, which is focused on collaboration on common global challenges such as combatting climate change, energy, mobility, digital, industry, space, health and more. They will also have access to Horizon Europe funding and networks of researchers in Europe and beyond.

On 22 May 2023, the EU and the Republic of Korea launched formal negotiations on Korea’s association to Horizon Europe. The negotiations are progressing well and the frequencies of negotiations are speeded-up aiming at conclusion before the end of 2024.

On 20 October 2023, the 11th Meeting of the ASEAN-EU Dialogue on Science, Technology and Innovation (AEUDSTI-11) was held in Bohol, Philippines. For the first time, EU Member States participated in the Dialogue alongside their ASEAN counterparts, underlining the potential of further strengthening exchanges on research and innovation. During the Dialogue, the European Commission also announced the relaunch of the Southeast Asia-Europe Joint Funding Scheme, towards facilitating research cooperation between the two regions.

Enhancing partnerships with Indo-Pacific countries will be an important part of implementing the EU’s Economic Security Strategy adopted on 20 June 2023. It highlights the need to enhance partnerships with the broadest possible range of partners to strengthen economic security, including through furthering and finalising trade agreements, reinforcing other partnerships, and strengthening the international rules-based economic order and multilateral institutions.

Green Transition

The EU and Indo-Pacific partners have a decisive role to play in tackling climate change, countering biodiversity loss and pollution, and accelerating the just clean energy transition. In collaboration with regional partners, EU action is helping to address these challenges.

On 22 May 2023, the EU and the Republic of Korea established a Green Partnership with the aim of strengthening bilateral cooperation and exchanging best practices on climate action, environmental protection and green and just energy transition. With this Green Partnership, the two parties reaffirmed their commitment to keep global temperature rise below 1.5°C and reach climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest, and their commitment to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Under the Green-Blue Alliance for the Pacific Team Europe Initiative, supports green growth through several projects aimed at developing local value chains and support to strengthen the WASH sector in several Pacific countries. The EU is also co-funding an increase in hydropower generation capacity in Fiji: through the Qaliwana and Vatutokotoko cascade hydropower development scheme, the production of renewable electricity in Fiji is expected to increase significantly – by between 94 and 167 GWh per year. This will contribute to the reduction of Fiji’s reliance on fossil fuels and of its greenhouse gas emissions, and will help Fiji meet the rising demand for electricity. The components foreseen under this project are the construction of the Qaliwana dam and hydropower plant (+22 MW) and the construction of the Vatutokotoko hydropower plant (+31 MW). The EU, together with the EIB, will partner with the private sector to deliver the scheme. Actions also continue to be pursued within the KIWA initiative to the benefit of Pacific Island Countries.

Projects supported under the Green-Blue Alliance for the Pacific in Papua New Guinea include the implementation of a Forest, Climate Change and Biodiversity Programme. This €54 million programme supports the country’s ambition to ensure sustainable management of its natural resources and its transition to a green, carbon neutral economy. In addition, under Global Gateway, the EU plans to support the rehabilitation of the port of Rabaul, and the provision of technical assistance to the Papua New Guinea Ports Corporation to develop an investment plan for greening port infrastructure as well as further support to WASH infrastructure.

On 31 July 2023, European Commission President von der Leyen and the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos, launched the Team Europe Initiative on Green Economy in the Philippines under Global Gateway. The Philippines Team Europe Initiative on Green Economy initiative will develop an industry-led alternative model to the current plastic waste management approach, leading to more sustainable plastic value chains and a reduction of waste and marine litter in the Philippines. With a budget of €466 million, this Team Europe Initiative brings together the EU, France, Spain, Germany and Finland. Austria, Netherlands and Sweden will contribute with expertise and technology transfer.

During the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi on 5 September 2023, the EU and Kenya launched the Green Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap for Kenya. The Roadmap sets out Kenya's ambitions to develop its green hydrogen industry from this year to 2032 and beyond. It focuses on domestic market development and growth, exports, and includes specific objectives related to emission reduction, job creation, and direct investments. Under Global Gateway, the EU will commit almost €12 million in grants to leverage public and private investments in the Kenyan green hydrogen industry. Green hydrogen presents a promising pathway to achieve Kenya's ambitious target of 100% clean energy by 2030 while unlocking opportunities for the country’s sustainable development.

The Team Europe Green Initiative in the Lao PDR aims to contribute to the country’s Green Growth Agenda 2030 and its National Socio-Economic Development Plan 2021-2025 promoting the sustainable management of natural resources. The initiative will bolster sustainable and deforestation-free agriculture and forestry value chains by fostering an inclusive, climate-resilient, nutrition sensitive and market-oriented agriculture. In the framework of this TEI, in September 2023 the EU approved an €8.4 million grant for the Laos Resilient Roads Programme to support the rehabilitation of climate-resilient and safe roads in Lao PDR for the purposes of climate resilience and safety.

Similarly, under the Sustainable Landscapes, Forests and Agriculture Team Europe Initiative in Cambodia and its flagship programme CAPSAFE, the EU will contribute to deforestation-free agriculture value chains of selected commodities with higher local value added for export to regional (ASEAN) and premium markets.

In Sri Lanka, the EU through its Team Europe Initiative on Green Recovery actively promotes environmental sustainability as key to a sustainable economic recovery in the country. By promoting biodiversity protection and circular economy, the TEI provides support to critical economic sectors such as agriculture, fisheries and tourism. On 25 October 2023 at the Global Gateway Forum, the EU, the EIB and Bangladesh signed agreements worth €400 million for renewable energy projects to contribute to the sustainable green transition of Bangladesh's power sector and to the achievement of the country's climate mitigation targets. The projects will boost access to energy and rural development throughout Bangladesh, consisting mainly of utility scale solar photovoltaic and onshore wind projects, and potentially associated battery energy storage systems, and are expected to contribute to the installation of an estimated 750 MWp of new renewable energy capacity.

At the same Forum, the EIB and Vietnam signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on shared goals designed to deliver Vietnam’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). The Memorandum calls for increased investment of €500 million by EIB Global to support Vietnam as it works to accelerate an energy transition that will benefit both people and the planet. Technical assistance to accelerate JETP relevant investments by Electricity Vietnam (EVN) was also signed at the Global Gateway Forum between the EU and the French Development Agency (AFD). The disbursement of the second tranche of the EU Energy Transition Budget Support Programme (EUR 22 million) was also announced on that occasion.

The EU continues to work with South Africa on the Just Energy Transition Partnership which aims to accelerate the decarbonisation of South Africa's economy - coal plant de-commissioning, funding alternative employment in coal mining areas, investments to facilitate accelerated deployment of renewable energy and investments in new sectors of the green economy. In November 2023, the enlarged International Partners Group (the EU, France, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, UK, US) increased its total financing commitments to $9.3billion from $8.5billion.

At the Global Gateway Forum, the EU furthermore committed €36 million in the construction of a hydropower plant at the Kakono dam on the Kagera River in a joint project with the French Development Agency (AFD) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) worth €296 million in total. The hydropower plant will respond to the increasing demand for generation capacity in northern Tanzania and provide a stable supply of power locally in the Lake Victoria Zone and nationally.

As part of the Global Gateway strategy, the EU is also supporting Pakistan on climate resilient infrastructure and green jobs creation (hydropower and irrigation systems). The aim is to tackle Pakistan's post-floods green energy recovery.

On 1 December 2023 at COP28, the International Partners Group (co-led by the EU and the UK, including Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway and the United States), welcomed and endorsed Vietnam's Resource Mobilisation Plan (RMP) under the Just Energy Transition Partnership. The launch of the RMP represents a key milestone towards the implementation of the Just Energy Transition Partnership, which was agreed between Vietnam and the International Partners Group in December 2022. The Partnership supports Vietnam to deliver on its net-zero 2050 goal and 2030 targets to accelerate and reduce the peaking of its greenhouse gas emissions and transition away from fossil fuels to clean energy.

The implementation of the EU-ASEAN Green TEI, launched in November 2021 [with an initial allocation of €30 million under NDICI] is picking up speed. It aims to strengthen the EU's partnership with the region in areas including climate action, environmental and biodiversity protection, clean energy transition, disaster resilience, prevention of illegal logging, wildlife trafficking and tackling air pollution. The overall expected contributions under this TEI including EU, EU Member States and EU institutions [i.e., EIB] are at around EUR 2 billion.

In December 2023, an EU-funded project to support the implementation of Mauritius’ circular economy roadmap for 2023-2033 has been approved. This tool will bring together in a holistic approach all initiatives aimed at unlock synergies to enhance a circular economy in the island.

In Kenya, the Global Gateway supports several flagship initiatives, including the Team Europe Initiative on the Green Deal, as part of which European Commission President von der Leyen attended the launch of the Kenya Green Hydrogen Roadmap on 5 September 2023 at the Africa Climate Summit, together with President Ruto. Under Global Gateway, the EU will commit almost €12 million in grants to leverage public and private investments in the Kenyan green hydrogen industry. Overall, Global Gateway invests €3.4 billion in climate and nature in Kenya – from developing its renewable energy industry to building sustainable agricultural value chains to climate resilience and protecting the environment.

Last year, the EU launched a new green transition project in support of the Gulf partners and sought partnerships with the Gulf countries to cooperate on sustainable development projects, in particular in Central Asia.

Ocean Governance

The EU continues to take forward action to strengthening ocean governance in the Indo-Pacific in full compliance with international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The EU will continue supporting Indo-Pacific partners in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and the implementation of Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPA).

On 20 September 2023, the EU and its Member States signed the Agreement under UNCLOS on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement). Also known as the “Treaty of the High Seas”, the BBNJ Agreement sets up a procedure to establish large-scale marine protected areas on the high seas. This will facilitate the achievement of the target to effectively conserve and manage 30% of land and sea by 2030, which was agreed in December 2022 within the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The EU and its Member States have been leading the BBNJ High Ambition Coalition which played a key role in reaching the Agreement.

The EU is currently preparing to launch the “Sustainable Western Indian Ocean” (SWIOP) programme, which will include Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar and Comoros. With an indicative budget of € 48 million, the programme will support these countries to enhance ocean governance; promote a sustainable, climate-resilient blue economy; foster marine and coastal conservation; and restore and improve the resilience of blue coastal and marine ecosystems and their sustainable management.

Digital Governance and Partnerships

The EU has successfully set up Digital Partnerships with Japan, the Republic of Korea and Singapore and a Trade and Technology Council with India. Technologies play a central role both for the EU and Indo-Pacific partners and technological cooperation is a crucial element of our common response to the challenges we jointly face.

Under the EU-Republic of Korea Digital Partnership, the two sides agreed to establish an EU-Republic of Korea Forum for Semiconductor Researchers and a Quantum experts Working Group to advance cooperation on quantum computing, sensing and communications. Both partners will define a common vision for 6G, and increase cooperation around Artificial Intelligence, platforms and cybersecurity.

Within the framework of the EU-Japan Digital Partnership, the EU and Japan agreed to a Memorandum of Cooperation on semiconductors and a Memorandum of Cooperation on submarine cables for secure connectivity to promote sustainable and secure Arctic submarine cable projects. As announced by European Commission President von der Leyen, the EU is currently exploring a possible submarine cable extension to be built via the Arctic route to Japan. The EU and Japan are also increasing cooperation on Artificial Intelligence, Quantum and High-Performance Computing, cybersecurity, 5G/6G, data governance and looking forward to expanding their scope of cooperation.

Through the EU-Singapore Digital Partnership, both sides are exploring common approaches in semiconductors, in e-identification and in Artificial Intelligence governance as well as working on projects such as interoperable e-invoicing standards to facilitate digital trade and SME's digital transformation.

In addition, in 2023 the EU launched negotiations on digital trade agreements with Singapore and the Republic of Korea. Binding digital trade rules are designed to build consumer trust, ensure predictability and legal certainty for businesses and remove and prevent unjustified barriers to digital trade.

On 5 October 2023, the EU launched the Digital Economy Package for Kenya to reduce the digital connectivity gap, to leapfrog the digital economy transformation, and to ensure an open and inclusive digital governance. The package includes the Last Mile Digital Connectivity Global Gateway Flagship which aims to reduce the digital gap in Kenya by improving last-mile connectivity access to equitable, inclusive, and quality digitally enabled learning in primary schools in underserved areas. This flagship will connect approximately 1000 additional schools benefiting 300.000 children across 47 counties in Kenya.

On 28 October 2023, the EU and Japan concluded an agreement on cross-border data flows. The Agreement lays the foundation for a common approach to digital trade, sending a strong message against digital protectionism and arbitrary restrictions. The Agreement is consistent with privacy rules and preserves the policy space to regulate the digital economy. It will deliver real benefits to companies active across most sectors, enabling them to handle data efficiently without cumbersome administrative or unjustified data localisation requirements. The importance of fostering data free flows with trust was recognised in the Joint Declaration on privacy and protection of personal data issued at the first EU Indo-Ministerial Forum in Paris in February 2022 and now endorsed by the EU and a total of 12 Indo-Pacific partners.

On 16 May 2023, the EU and India held their first ministerial meeting of the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) in Brussels, followed by a stocktaking call on 24 November 2023, during which the EU and India signed a Memorandum of Understanding on working arrangements on semiconductors ecosystem, its supply chain and innovation, and agreed to enhance cooperation on issues including the interoperability of digital public infrastructures; quantum and high-performance computing; and trustworthy and responsible artificial intelligence. Both sides are working towards a second ministerial meeting foreseen to take place in early 2024.

Connectivity

The EU aims to promote all dimensions of connectivity with Indo-Pacific partners. In a Team Europe approach, the EU’s Global Gateway will feed into the vision of the EU-Indo-Pacific Strategy by boosting green, modern and resilient investments for sustainable connectivity, from infrastructure to regulatory frameworks.

In the Indo-Pacific, Global Gateway aims to reduce the region’s infrastructure gaps by providing capital for investment into hard and soft infrastructure, with the support of development banks and the private sector.

During the EU-ASEAN Commemorative Summit (14 December 2022), the EU and its Member States announced the mobilisation of €10 billion in investments as part of Global Gateway roll out in ASEAN countries. This package focuses on the green transition and sustainable connectivity in South-East Asia, underpinned by two Team Europe Initiatives (TEIs): the ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity TEI and the ASEAN Green TEI are forming two of the regional centre pieces of this announcement.

In particular, the EU-ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity (SCOPE) TEI, launched at the Summit [with an EU package of EUR 60 million adopted in April 2023], seeks to improve sustainable connectivity between the EU and ASEAN and within ASEAN, by covering a variety of sectors spanning from trade, transport, energy, digital and people-to-to people connectivity/higher education. The overall expected contributions under this TEI including EU, EU Member States and EU institutions [i.e., EIB] are at around EUR 2 billion.

In the Philippines, the EU is funding with €10 million to the establishment of a national Copernicus data centre – the first of its kind in South-East Asia. The new centre will enhance the response capability and resilience of the Philippines to natural and human-induced disasters through the strategic use of space data. The EU is also supporting with €20 million the Philippines becoming a digital hub in the region with the Digital Economy Package. The package will improve digital connectivity to expand Copernicus in the ASEAN region, regulatory and policy support to 5G, capacity building for cybersecurity and a study on the Indo Pacific connectivity.

In the Seychelles, Mauritius, an additional grant budget for the rehabilitation of Port Victoria, bringing EU support to a total of €15million, was approved in December 2023.

In September 2023, the EU co-signed the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor which aims to deliver a quality infrastructure in the area of green energy, digital connectivity and transport corridor.

Security and Defence

The EU continues to seek to enhance regional security in the Indo-Pacific by strengthening its security and defence partnerships, holding regular dialogues and consultations, and engaging in more operational cooperation, like joint naval exercises. The EU will also continue to develop synergies with partners in the areas of maritime security, cybersecurity, counter-terrorism and crisis management, and in countering hybrid threats and foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), including disinformation.

The EU has stepped up activities with Indo-Pacific partners under the EU-funded project “Enhancing Security Cooperation in and with Asia” (ESIWA) (2020-2024), which covers four thematic areas: counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, maritime security and crisis management. The EU intends to continue to pursue the implementation of this project during the period 2024-2028 (“ESIWA +” project).

On cyber security, the EU continued its engagement to advance cyber diplomacy policy in the region, cooperate on diplomatic responses, promote the proposal for a UN Cyber Programme of Action (PoA) to Advance Responsible State Behaviour in Cyberspace, develop cyber confidence building measures, in particular within the ASEAN Regional Forum, and coordinate capacity building efforts. To implement this endeavour, the EU organised, with the support of ESIWA, several events (seminars, workshops and trainings) in Singapore, Thailand, Republic of Korea and Malaysia. The first EU-Indo-Pacific cyber Ambassadors/Coordinators High Level Roundtable was also hosted in June 2023 in Brussels, contributing to fostering trust and identify further cooperation activities between the EU and the region, notably the establishment of a network of peers.

The EU has also continued to support maritime domain awareness through the CRIMARIO II project and its IORIS (Indo-Pacific Regional Information Sharing) platform. This secure platform can support national and regional maritime information sharing. In 2023, IORIS was used for several maritime exercises in the Indo-Pacific – between the Philippines and France (March); and for the Philippines Interagency Exercise (August and November); the Live Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (November); and the Pacific Island Exercises (March). In September 2023, the Philippine Marina and Coast Guard signed a collaborative agreement with CRIMARIO concerning the use of IORIS. CRIMARIO’s instructors have shared their expertise in new countries through Foundation and Advanced courses, introducing IORIS to South Africa, Thailand, and Pacific Islands via the Pacific Fusion Centre.

The EU Training Mission in Mozambique (EUTM MOZ) has completed the training of 10 Quick Reaction Forces (QRF) of the Mozambican Army (FADM), nearing completing on the EUTM mandate which foresees the training of 11 QRFs and the delivery of equipment, which continued throughout the year. The Mission is currently undergoing a strategic review, and there are positive signs that Mozambique wants the EU to remain engaged on security aspects beyond the current EUTM mandate.

In relation to hybrid threats, the EU is currently preparing a pilot action designed to address such threats in the Indo-Pacific. The initiative aims to enhance common understanding of hybrid threats in the region; map the main issues, existing capabilities and gaps; and build capacities through training, technical exchanges and simulation exercises.

Through its “Coordinated Maritime Presence in the North-West Indian Ocean”, the EU will continue to optimise the use EU Member States’ assets deployed to the region, while also facilitating the exchange of information, joint activities ashore and at sea, and enhancing maritime situational awareness. A number of EU Member States are planning to conduct naval deployments in the Indo-Pacific in 2024.

In addition, EUNAVFOR – Operation Atalanta has already conducted successful joint naval exercises with several Indo-Pacific partners (Djibouti, India, Indonesia, Oman, Japan, Republic of Korea and the United States). On 15 March 2023, Atalanta and Japan’s Deployment Surface Force for Counter-Piracy Enforcement off the Coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden (DPSA) signed an Administrative Arrangement for communication and coordination on joint anti-piracy exercises.

On 24 October 2023, India and the EU conducted their first joint naval exercise in the Gulf of Guinea, in an effort to reinforce maritime security cooperation in support of the region. The exercise followed the third meeting of the EU-India Maritime Security Dialogue on 5 October 2023. On the same day the seventh Cyber Dialogue was also organised.

At the EU-Japan Summit in July 2023, EU and Japanese leaders agreed to develop their security partnership by increasing cooperation in areas including maritime security, cybersecurity, hybrid threats, counter-terrorism, disarmament and non-proliferation. The EU resumed its Cyber Dialogue in November. At the EU-Republic of Korea Summit in May 2023, leaders agreed to develop a security partnership and establish a Strategic Dialogue at foreign ministerial level to enhance cooperation on global peace and security.

In October 2023, the EU and Kenya had held their first Security and Defence Consultations, outlining concrete actions for future cooperation in domains including counterterrorism, maritime security and cybersecurity. Kenya also joined the Global Counterterrorism Forum in September 2023 at the proposal of the EU.

The EU continues to be a core security partner of Somalia with the deployment of three CSDP missions (EUTM, EUCAP and EUNAVFOR-ATALANTA) as well support to AMISOM/ATMIS. Since 2008, EUNAVFOR operation Atalanta has regularly evolved to keep on delivering security at sea in the Horn of Africa, deter prevent and counter piracy, counter drug trafficking off the coast of Somalia, and contributing to the implementation of UN arms embargo on Somalia, and is making a contribution to the Blue Economy that Somalia is trying to develop.

The 3rd Ministerial Conference on Maritime Safety and Security in the Western Indian Ocean was organised by the Republic of Mauritius with the backing of the Indian Ocean Commission on 16 November 2023. During the conference, the value added by the regional maritime security architecture implemented by the Indian Ocean Commission through the EU-funded Regional Maritime Security Programme (MASE) was unanimously recognised.

The EU is currently preparing an important maritime security initiative called “Safe Seas for Africa”. With a budget of €45 million, this action will cover the coastal countries of Africa from Djibouti to Angola and the African Island countries in the Western Indian Ocean. It will focus on strengthening the capacities of national maritime law enforcement agencies to tackle maritime crimes, contribute to establishing a “legal finish” in the region, reinforce the regional maritime information sharing architecture and strengthen inter-regional and inter-agency coordination among partners in the region.

In the area of port security, the EU-funded “Port Security and Safety of Navigation” programme covers the entire coast of East Africa and Southern Africa from Kenya to Angola. With a budget of €28 million, the programme follows a dual approach: i) enhancing safety of navigation in the Eastern Africa, Southern Africa and Indian Ocean region by strengthening the capacities of maritime affairs authorities, government and port agencies; and ii) improving port security legislation and the related compliance framework. The programme will be active until mid-2026.

Finally, the EU-funded “Red Sea Programme” aims to enhance maritime and port security and safety of navigation in the Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden region, with a specific focus on six countries: Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. With a budget of €20 million, the programme focuses on reinforcing national maritime law enforcement agencies, improving of port security and safety of navigation, strengthening regional cooperation and the maritime policy environment in the Horn of Africa. The initiative will be active until mid-2026.

In October 2023, the EU adopted a revised Maritime Security Strategy to safeguard the maritime domain against new threats, while also ensuring the sustainability of the oceans and the protection of biodiversity. The revised Strategy’s Action plan sets out a range of cooperative initiatives with Indo-Pacific partners, including joint exercises and port calls, stepping up cooperation on maritime security with regional organisations, such as ASEAN, and supporting maritime capacity building and enhancing maritime domain awareness in the region.

Recognising that the space domain is critical for our societies, economies and security, the EU adopted its first ever Space Strategy for Security and Defence in March 2023. As part of this Strategy, the EU is increasingly addressing space security and defence in its political discussions with Indo-Pacific partners. Space security dialogues offer an opportunity to engage with partners on their space and security strategies, establish partnerships for the exchange of information, share best practices on how to increase the resilience of space infrastructure, and establish norms and standards. The EU owns and operates space assets (Positioning, Navigation and Timing -PNT – Galileo; Earth Observation-EO –Copernicus) and the EU Satellite Centre (SatCen), which provides a unique geospatial intelligence analysis capability.

Human Security
The EU continues to provide humanitarian assistance in response to human-induced disasters and natural hazards, with particular attention to the most vulnerable. The EU recently announced the allocation of over €56 million in humanitarian aid in 2024 to support people in need in the South, East and South-East of Asia and in the Pacific – a more than 10 % increase from last year’s allocation. This will serve to help people affected by the main ongoing humanitarian crises, as well as to strengthen disaster preparedness in a region prone to natural hazards.

In 2023, the European Commission allocated – around €17 million for humanitarian support in Pakistan. This funding has assisted people recovering from the 2022 floods (part of the broader Team Europe support to the post-floods recovery which amounts to €872.4 million), and supported displaced Pakistanis as well as Afghan refugees and their host communities. In Bangladesh, the EU provided over €38 million in humanitarian aid in 2023 in response to the Rohingya refugee crisis, including support for disaster preparedness and emergency response activities. Humanitarian support to Rohingya refugees and host communities in Cox’s Bazar and Bashan Char included food assistance, nutrition, clean water, sanitation, healthcare services, education, shelter, camp management and increased protection for the most vulnerable. In addition, €3 million have been committed to provide assistance and protection to the Rohingya refugee in the region. The European Commission also allocated €33 million for humanitarian assistance, disaster preparedness and emergency response in Myanmar, including in response to the devastating impact of Cyclone Mocha in May 2023.

In 2023, the EU provided more than €4 million to the Philippines in support of the most vulnerable people. Part of this funding covered humanitarian assistance for those affected by the protracted conflict in Mindanao. The funding also helped strengthen access to education for children in conflict-prone areas. In addition, the EU provided humanitarian assistance in response to the typhoon Doksuri (known as “Egay”) that struck the Philippines in July 2023.

The EU provided humanitarian assistance to Vanuatu following the devastating twin Tropical Cyclones that struck Vanuatu in March 2023 leaving thousands of people homeless. In September 2023, the EU provided support to the Micronesia Red Cross Society for drought preparedness activities in Micronesia to mitigate the impacts of a severe El Niño-induced drought.

In November 2023, the EU facilitated an ASEAN study visit to Europe, where ASEAN disaster management officials participated in a programme including visits to the Commission and the EU Emergency Response Coordination Centre.

In March 2023, the EU announced €50 million in humanitarian aid for the Southern Africa and Indian Ocean region, specifically for Madagascar, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and Malawi. The funds have contributed to combatting food insecurity and malnutrition, improving access to basic services, enhancing disaster preparedness and promoting education in emergencies throughout the region. In February and March 2023, Madagascar, Malawi and Mozambique were struck twice by cyclone Freddy. Madagascar, Malawi and Mozambique, have been the countries hit hardest by the cyclonic season and the heavy consequent rainfalls and floods. In response to TC Freddy’s double landfalls, the Commission allocated an additional emergency funding of €3 million (€1.5 million to Mozambique, €900,000 to Malawi and €600,000 to Madagascar).

In November 2023, the EU has allocated additional humanitarian aid funding of €2.7 million in response to the devastating floods that struck Kenya and Somalia. In Somalia, this additional funding comes on top of the €5.5 million allocated to the country in humanitarian assistance to those most affected by the El Niño-related floods and conflict-forced displacement. The EU has also launched a helicopter deployment to reach hard to reach areas in Somalia via the European Humanitarian Response Capacity. In Kenya, the EU has allocated €16.2 million in humanitarian funding over 2023, including €1.5 million for disaster preparedness. The EU has continued its longstanding assistance to refugees in Kenya and responded to disaster-related emergencies, including food security emergencies for the most vulnerable people in arid and semi-arid lands.