Context: The project "Enhancing the Role of the European Union in Multilateral Fora in Asia and Supporting the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF)" responds to the EU’s goal of strengthening its strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific. The initiative aims at reinforcing EU engagement with ASEAN, the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), ASEM/ASEF, and by advocating participation in other fora such as the East Asia Summit and ADMM+.
Objectives: The overall goal is to position the EU to effectively advance its interests and values—human rights, democracy, gender equality, and sustainable development—in cooperation with Asian partners. Specific objectives include:
1. Strengthening understanding of EU policies within ASEM and ASEAN.
2. Enhancing the EU’s influence in the ARF.
3. Supporting ASEF as a civil society interface and public diplomacy channel.
4. Promoting EU visibility and gender equality.
5. Advancing the EU’s participation in additional regional fora.
Approach: The project combines diplomatic engagement and public diplomacy, fostering government-to-government and people-to-people linkages. It builds on lessons from earlier EU-funded cooperation with ASEF, emphasizing flexible, visible, and inclusive multilateral engagement aligned with the EU Indo-Pacific Strategy, Global Gateway, and Gender Action Plan III.
Activities: Actions include support for ministerial meetings, side events, and studies under ASEM, ASEAN, and ARF; ASEF cultural, youth, and communication programmes; advocacy and technical assistance to ASEAN; policy briefings and outreach; and strategic communication to counter disinformation and promote EU narratives.
Expected Impacts: The project will raise the EU’s geopolitical profile in Asia, strengthen multilateralism, foster inclusive governance, advance gender equality, promote sustainable connectivity, and deepen people-to-people cooperation between Europe and Asia, positioning the EU as a credible, values-based global partner.