ERIA Advances ASEAN Priorities on Semiconductors, Energy Security, and Economic Resilience at SEOM Meetings

Manila, 27-31 May 2026: ERIA officials presented the institute's ongoing activities at the Second Meeting of the ASEAN Senior Economic Officials for the 57th ASEAN Economic Ministers' Meeting (SEOM 2/57) and shared updates on initiatives supporting ASEAN-Japan economic co-operation at the 31st SEOM-METI Consultation. The meetings were held on 27-31 May 2026 in Manila, the Philippines.

Ms Anna Robeniol, Senior Policy Fellow, highlighted ERIA's contributions to the Priority Economic Deliverables under the Philippines' ASEAN Chairship 2026, with a focus on supply chain resilience, digital transformation, and inclusivity.

Amongst the key initiatives presented were ERIA's support for the development of the ASEAN Semiconductor Roadmap 2026-2030 to implement the ASEAN Framework for an Integrated Semiconductor Supply Chain (AFISS), as well as a feasibility study for the proposed ASEAN Centre of Excellence for MSMEs. The study will assess institutional arrangements and identify opportunities to strengthen support for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises across the region.

Building on growing regional momentum for deeper co-operation on energy security, ERIA also shared its proposed study on a regional oil stockpiling strategy for ASEAN. The proposal follows Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s call for a regional study on joint oil stockpiling. Through this initiative, ERIA aims to identify practical pathways towards a more resilient regional energy security framework.

On ASEAN-Japan economic co-operation, Dr Aladdin D. Rillo, Managing Director for Policy Design and Operations, underscored ERIA's support for Japan's new Regional Economic Resilience Initiative in response to current global uncertainties. He also provided updates on two major ASEAN-Japan initiatives: the Masterplan for the ASEAN-Japan Next-Generation Automotive Industry and the ASEAN-Japan AI Innovation Co-Creation Roadmap.

Under the next-generation automotive industry initiative, ERIA highlighted a new study on a regional biofuels strategy to strengthen energy resilience and support ASEAN's sustainable transport transition. ERIA also shared updates on efforts to strengthen the regional start-up ecosystem and deepen ASEAN-Japan collaboration in emerging digital technologies under the AI Innovation Co-Creation Roadmap.

At the meetings, ERIA reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening partnerships with ASEAN and Japan through evidence-based policy research, supply chain analysis, and multi-stakeholder dialogue. Through these efforts, ERIA continues to contribute to regional economic resilience and the advancement of ASEAN's long-term development objectives.