Jakarta, 1 December 2025: Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) have formalised a new financial agreement to support joint environmental initiatives in ASEAN for 2025–2026. Through this partnership, AFD will provide financial support to ERIA to advance regional co-operation on marine plastic pollution and sustainable transport.
Under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship, AFD and ERIA have already been working together to address marine plastic pollution. Building on the Ship Waste Management Programme previously conducted with the ASEAN Transport Division, AFD participated in the ASEAN Conference on Marine Plastic Pollution 2025 (ACCPP), co-organised by ERIA and Malaysia’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES). During the conference, AFD presented key recommendations from the ASEAN Sustainable Ship Waste Management Strategy, outlining both opportunities and remaining challenges for ASEAN Member States in tackling marine waste.
In 2026, AFD and ERIA are expected to continue their collaboration on marine plastic pollution, maintaining the momentum established in the first year. AFD will also deepen its co-operation with the ASEAN Transport Division through a new joint research project with ERIA, anticipated to be co-funded by both organisations. This initiative may cover topics such as sustainable maritime transport, road and railway transport, and other areas within the broader field of sustainable transportation.
This agreement builds on the Memorandum of Understanding signed in December 2023 to enhance co-operation on environmental issues. Since then, AFD and ERIA have continued to strengthen their partnership to support sustainable development in the ASEAN region.
Programme Manager
Jakarta, 1 December 2025: Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) have formalised a new financial agreement to support joint environmental initiatives in ASEAN for 2025–2026. Through this partnership, AFD will provide financial support to ERIA to advance regional co-operation on marine plastic pollution and sustainable transport.
Under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship, AFD and ERIA have already been working together to address marine plastic pollution. Building on the Ship Waste Management Programme previously conducted with the ASEAN Transport Division, AFD participated in the ASEAN Conference on Marine Plastic Pollution 2025 (ACCPP), co-organised by ERIA and Malaysia’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES). During the conference, AFD presented key recommendations from the ASEAN Sustainable Ship Waste Management Strategy, outlining both opportunities and remaining challenges for ASEAN Member States in tackling marine waste.
In 2026, AFD and ERIA are expected to continue their collaboration on marine plastic pollution, maintaining the momentum established in the first year. AFD will also deepen its co-operation with the ASEAN Transport Division through a new joint research project with ERIA, anticipated to be co-funded by both organisations. This initiative may cover topics such as sustainable maritime transport, road and railway transport, and other areas within the broader field of sustainable transportation.
This agreement builds on the Memorandum of Understanding signed in December 2023 to enhance co-operation on environmental issues. Since then, AFD and ERIA have continued to strengthen their partnership to support sustainable development in the ASEAN region.
Programme Manager
