JOINT COMMUNICATION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL The EU strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific
Date: 2021-09-16
Institutions: European Commission, European External Action Service
Subjects: ASEAN, Australia, China, EU strategy, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Africa, South Korea, cooperation policy

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION HIGH REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNION FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND SECURITY POLICY Brussels, 16.9.2021  JOIN(2021) 24 final  JOINT COMMUNICATION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL The EU strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific  
 
 
JOINT COMMUNICATION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT  
AND THE COUNCIL 

THE EU STRATEGY FOR COOPERATION IN THE INDO-PACIFIC 

INTRODUCTION 

The Indo-Pacific – a vast region spanning from the east coast of Africa to the Pacific Island 
States – is increasingly strategically significant for Europe. The region’s growing economic, 
demographic,  and  political  weight  makes  it  a  key  player  in  shaping  the  international  order 
and in addressing global challenges. The  EU intends to increase its engagement with the 
region to build partnerships that reinforce the rules-based international order, address global 
challenges, and lay the foundations for a rapid,  just and sustainable economic recovery that 
creates  long-term  prosperity.  This  engagement  will  be  based  on  promoting  democracy,  the 
rule of law, human rights, and universally agreed commitments such as the 2030 Agenda and 
its Sustainable Development Goals, and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.  

Building  on  EU  Member  States’  renewed  commitment  to  the  region  in  the  Council 
Conclusions  of  19  April  2021,  this  Joint  Communication  sets  out  the  EU  Strategy  for 
Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific by: 

-  Outlining the EU’s rationale for strengthening its engagement in the Indo-Pacific; 
-  Presenting  the EU’s principles guiding its engagement with the Indo-Pacific; 
-  Setting out the EU’s approach to partnership and cooperation  in the region, and  
-  Detailing how the EU will pursue this vision in cooperation with partners. 

1.  THE EU’S RATIONALE: A STRONG BASIS FOR A MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL 

RELATIONSHIP 

The futures of the EU and the Indo-Pacific are inextricably linked given the interdependence 
of  the  economies  and  the  common  global  challenges.  The  region  includes  seven  G20 
members - Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the Republic 
of  South  Africa  -  as  well  as  the  Association  of  Southeast  Asian  Nations  (ASEAN),  an 
increasingly important partner for the EU. The region is home to three-fifths of the world’s 
population,  produces  60%  of  global  GDP,  contributed  two-thirds  of  pre-pandemic  global 
economic  growth  and is at  the forefront  of the digital  economy.  The EU outermost regions 
and  overseas  countries  and  territories,  constitutionally  linked  to  its  Member  States1,  are  an 
important part of the EU’s approach to the Indo-Pacific.  

The EU and the Indo-Pacific are natural partner regions in terms of trade and investment. 
The EU is the top investor, the leading provider of development cooperation, and one of the 
biggest  trading  partners  in  the  Indo-Pacific  region.  Together,  the  Indo-Pacific  and  Europe 
account  for  over  70%  of  the  global  trade  in  goods  and  services,  and  over  60%  of  foreign 
direct  investment  flows.  Trade  exchanges  between  the  Indo-Pacific  and  Europe  are  higher 
than between any other geographical regions in the world, with annual trade reaching EUR 
1.5 trillion in 2019. The region is the second largest destination of EU exports and is home to 

1 La Réunion, Mayotte; French Southern and Antarctic Territories, New Caledonia, Wallis-and-Futuna, French Polynesia 

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
four of the EU’s ten biggest trading partners. The region hosts major waterways that are of 
vital importance to EU trade, including the Malacca Straits, the South China Sea, and the Bab 
el-Mandeb Strait.  

The Indo-Pacific is both an important source of global environmental challenges as well as a 
potential  beneficiary  of  their  remedies.  The  share  of  the  region  in  global  carbon  dioxide 
emissions has grown from 37% to 57% since 2000 and the region will account for more than 
70%  of  growth  in  global  energy  demand  by  2030.  Climate  change  is  expected  to  further 
increase pressure on marine biodiversity, natural resources and fish stocks, leading to changes 
in  ecosystem  dynamics.  The  Indo-Pacific  region  includes  a  number  of  marine  biodiversity 
hotspots, such as the Coral Triangle which accounts for 76% of the world’s coral species and 
sustains 120 million people living in the area. The South China Sea alone accounts for around 
12%  of  the  global  fish  catch  and  hosts  more  than  half  of  the  world’s  fishing  vessels. 
Therefore,  the  region  is  vital  for  mitigating  climate  change  and  protecting  our  planet’s 
delicate ecological balance. 

In  recent  years,  geopolitical  dynamics  in  the  Indo-Pacific  have  given  rise  to  intense 
competition,  including  tensions  around  contested  territories  and  maritime  zones.  There  has 
been  a  significant  military  build-up,  including  by  China,  with  the  Indo-Pacific’s  share  of 
global military spending increasing from 20% of the world total in 2009 to 28% in 2019. The 
display  of  force  and  increasing  tensions  in  regional  hotspots  such  as  in  the  South  and  East 
China  Sea  and  in  the  Taiwan  Strait  may  have  a  direct  impact  on  European  security  and 
prosperity. There is also an increase in hybrid threats, including on cyber security. 

Democratic principles and human rights are also under threat from authoritarian regimes 
in the region, putting the region’s stability at risk. Similarly, efforts to establish a global level 
playing-field  based  on  transparent  trade  rules  are  increasingly  undermined  by  unfair  trade 
practices and economic coercion. These developments increase tensions in trade, supply and 
value  chains.  The  COVID  19  pandemic  has  tested  the  resilience  of  economies,  further 
exposed the interdependence of EU and Indo-Pacific partners, and highlighted that both gain 
resilience  from  open,  diversified  and  undistorted  access  to  world  markets.  Finally,  the 
ongoing  crisis  in  Afghanistan  also  demonstrates  the  direct  impact  that  events  in  the  region 
have on Europe’s security. 

In light of these factors, it is essential for the EU to reinforce cooperation with Indo-Pacific 
partners, including in bilateral, regional and multilateral contexts, and to promote the rules-
based international order and access to open markets and ensure a stable trading environment. 
This  will  entail  a  further  deepening  and  diversification  of  trade  and  investment  ties  and 
collaboration  to  help  accelerate  the  green  and  digital  transitions.  This  engagement  should 
contribute  to  strengthening  Europe’s  strategic  reach  and  security  and  to  securing  the 
resilience of its supply chains. 

2. 

THE  EU’S  VISION:  PRINCIPLES  OF  ENGAGEMENT  WITH  INDO-
PACIFIC PARTNERS 

The EU’s engagement with the Indo-Pacific region will be principled and long-term. It will 
seek to: 

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  Solidify  and  defend  the  rules-based  international  order,  by  promoting  inclusive  and 
effective  multilateral  cooperation  based  on  shared  values  and  principles,  including  a 
commitment to respecting democracy, human rights and the rule of law.  

  Promote a level playing field and an open and fair environment for trade and investment.  
  Contribute  to  achieving  the  Sustainable  Development  Goals  (SDGs),  to  addressing 
climate  change  and  environmental  degradation  on  land  and  in  the  ocean,  and  to 
supporting sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development.  

  Engage  in  bilateral  and  multilateral  cooperation  with  partners  to  meet  the  objectives  of 
the  Paris  Agreement  on  Climate  Change  and  the  Convention  on  Biological  Diversity 
(CBD)  

  Pursue  its  long-standing  multilateral  and  regional  cooperation  with  the  United  Nations 
and Bretton Woods Institutions, as well as regional organisations such as ASEAN and the 
African Union in the Western Indian Ocean.  

  Support truly inclusive policy-making and cooperation, where the voices of civil society, 

the private sector, social partners and other key stakeholders count. 

  Establish  mutually  supportive  trade  and  economic  relations  with  the  region  that  foster 

inclusive economic growth and stability, and promote and facilitate connectivity. 

  Engage in the region as a partner in our efforts to raise awareness on the impact of global 

demographic trends. 

The EU will remain a consistent defender of human rights and democracy and continue to 
use  all  tools  at  its  disposal:  political  and  human  rights  dialogues  and  consultations,  trade 
preferences  and  the  mainstreaming  of  human  rights  considerations  in  all  EU  policies  and 
programmes. The EU will continue to use its restrictive measures (sanctions) regime against 
individuals, entities and bodies responsible for, involved in, or associated with serious human 
rights  violations  and  abuses  worldwide.  In  international  fora,  the  EU  will  work  with  like-
minded  Indo-Pacific  partners  to  push  back  any  initiative  that  undermines  the  human  rights 
enshrined in customary international law and in international human rights instruments. 

As a priority, the EU will continue supporting women’s and girls’ full enjoyment of human 
rights  and  gender  equality,  empowering    them  for  active  involvement  in  civic  and  political 
decision-making,  and  working  towards  eliminating  all  forms  of  violence  against  them.  The 
EU will also  continue to support steps to  combat all forms  of discrimination2, the rights  of 
ethnic and religious minorities, and to advocate the abolition of the death penalty that remains 
on  the  books  in  several  Indo-Pacific  countries.  The  EU  will  also  promote  decent  work  and 
respect of international labour standards of the ILO, with a view to eliminate child labour and 
forced labour in global supply chains. 

Finally, the EU will continue to promote compliance with International Humanitarian Law. It 
will continue to advocate humanitarian access and to provide life-saving assistance to people 
in  need.  The  EU  will  support  durable  solutions  to  large-scale  and  protracted  refugee 
situations, like Afghanistan and the Rohingya crisis.  

3.  PARTNERSHIP AND COOPERATION 

2 Including on grounds of sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. 

3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
The  EU’s  relations  with  the  Indo-Pacific  region  are  based  on  historic,  cultural  and 
commercial ties, and decades of significant cooperation and assistance. In this context the EU 
will: 

  Deepen  its  engagement  and  reinforce  its  role  as  a  reliable  partner  bringing  added 

value to long-standing relations with all its partners in the region.3  

  Reinforce  cooperation  with  multilateral  and  regional  organisations  such  as  ASEAN, 
as  well  as  international  financial  institutions  to  promote  effective  rules-based 
multilateralism in the Indo-Pacific region.  

  Undertake crisis management, conflict prevention and resilience building initiatives. 
  Work  together  with  Member  States  through  a  Team  Europe  approach  with  concrete 

initiatives at country and regional levels. 

The  EU  has  bilateral  Partnership  and  Cooperation  Agreements  (PCAs)  with  many  of  its 
partners in the region, and has finalised negotiations for a new Partnership Agreement with 
the African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries. It intends to conclude new PCAs with 
Thailand  and  Malaysia  and  to  start  PCA  negotiations  with  the  Maldives  in  the  near  future.  
The  EU  will  also  aim  to  deepen  its  engagement  with  partners  that  already  have  Indo-
Pacific  approaches  of  their  own  -  ASEAN,  Australia,  India,  Japan,  New  Zealand,  the 
Republic  of  Korea,  the  United  Kingdom  and  the  United  States.  The  EU  would  also  be 
interested in engaging with the QUAD4 on issues of common interest such as climate change, 
technology or vaccines.  

The  EU  will  also  pursue  its  multifaceted  engagement  with  China5,  engaging  bilaterally  to 
promote  solutions  to  common  challenges,  cooperating  on  issues  of  common  interest  and 
encouraging China to play its part in a peaceful and thriving Indo-Pacific region. At the same 
time,  and  working  with  international  partners  who  share  similar  concerns,  the  EU  will 
continue  to  protect  its  essential  interests  and  promote  its  values  while  pushing  back  where 
fundamental disagreements exist with China, such as on human rights.  

The EU intends to strengthen partnerships with all relevant actors in the Indo-Pacific, taking 
into consideration sub-regional dynamics and specificities.  

The Indian Ocean: a gateway for Europe into the Indo-Pacific 

The  Indian  Ocean  is  the  principal  passage  for  Europe  to  and  from  Indo-Pacific  markets. 
Stability and freedom of navigation in this area are therefore vital. The EU is committed to 
supporting its partners in the Indian Ocean in dealing with the various challenges they face 
such as the intensifying effects of climate change, marine pollution and biodiversity loss or 
illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities. To do so, the EU can already rely 
on a strong network of partnerships6.  

3  See,  inter  alia,  Council  Conclusions  on  an  EU  Strategy  for  Cooperation  in  the  Indo-Pacific  (19  April  2021),  Joint 
Communication towards a Comprehensive Strategy with Africa (9 March 2020) Council Conclusions “The Horn of Africa: a 
geo-strategic  priority  for  the  EU  (10  May  2020.  The  EU’s  Strategy  for  Connecting  Europe  and  Asia  and  the  Council 
Conclusions on Enhancing the EU’s Security Cooperation in and with Asia. 
4 The QUAD is a quadrilateral security dialogue between Australia, India, Japan and the United States.  
5 Joint Communication: EU-China; a Strategic Outlook, 12 March 2019,    
6  Examples  of  such  partnerships  include  the  African  Union  (AU),  the  Indian  Ocean  Commission,  the  Indian  Ocean  Rim 
Association,  and  the  Southern  African  Development  Community  (SADC),  the  Common  Market  for  Eastern  and Southern 
Africa  (COMESA),  the  East  African  Community  (EAC),  the  Intergovernmental  Authority  on  Development  and  the  South 
Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. 

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The EU will work towards becoming a Regional Economic Communities partner, help efforts 
to strengthen the Indian Ocean Commission, continue to implement its Economic Partnership 
Agreements  with  its  African  partners  in  the  region,  and  work  towards  a  new  Economic 
Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the East Africa Community. 

The Centrality of ASEAN 

The  EU  and  ASEAN  have  developed  a  dynamic,  multifaceted  partnership  over  more 
than 40 years. This strategic partnership covers political, security, economic, environmental, 
climate and socio-cultural issues as well as connectivity7.  

The  EU  appreciates  ASEAN’s  commitment  to  effective  multilateralism  and  supports  the 
principle of ASEAN centrality, its efforts to build a rules-based regional architecture, and 
the  multilateral  anchor  that  it  provides.  The EU  also  supports the  ASEAN-led  process 
towards  an  effective,  substantive  and  legally  binding  Code  of  Conduct  in  the  South  China 
Sea,  which  should  not  prejudice  the  interests  of  third  parties.  EU-ASEAN  cooperation  also 
covers  a  wide  range  of  security  issues,  including  through  the  ASEAN  Regional  Forum 
(ARF).  

Cooperation with partners in the Pacific 

The  EU  has  a  long  term  partnership  with  the  Pacific  region,  which  it  seeks  to  reinforce 
through the Partnership Agreement with the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific 
states  that  will  succeed  the  Cotonou  Agreement.  Together  with  the  EU’s  Economic 
Partnership Agreement with Pacific States, it will provide the basis for stronger political and 
strategic engagement based on common values and objectives.  

In addition  to  its  ACP partnerships, the EU maintains close relations and political  dialogue 
with  all  Pacific  Island  States  and  cooperates  closely  with  the  Pacific  Islands  Forum,  the 
Pacific  Community  and  other  members  of  the  Council  of  Regional  Organisations  of  the 
Pacific.  

4. OUR PURSUIT OF THE VISION: SEVEN PRIORITY AREAS 

In  the  wake  of  the  COVID-19  crisis,  the  EU  will  focus  on  creating  the  conditions  for  a 
sustainable and inclusive socio-economic recovery and will work actively with its partners in 
the following seven areas:  

  Sustainable and inclusive prosperity; 
  Green transition; 
  Ocean governance; 
  Digital governance and partnerships; 
  Connectivity; 
  Security and defence; 
  Human security. 

7 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/nl/press/press-releases/2020/12/01/eu-asean-joint-ministerial-statement-on-connectivity/ 

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4.1 SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE PROSPERITY 

The COVID-19 pandemic has tested the resilience of societies, economies and supply chains. 
The EU and the Indo-Pacific region need to cooperate to “build back better”. The 13th ASEM 
(Asia-Europe) Summit to be held on 25-26 November 2021 will aim to propel the recovery 
in a green and sustainable manner. It will be bolstered by multilateral cooperation at the G20 
level,  and  supplemented  by  bilateral  macroeconomic  dialogues  with  G20  regional  partners. 
The EU will also seek to develop exchanges on macroeconomic issues with partners such as 
Indonesia and the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office. 

Resilient and Diversified Value Chains 

Resilient value chains are essential for the recovery. The EU will work with its 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,  including  to  address  strategic  dependencies  in 
supply chains. For semiconductors, for example, it will do so with partners such as Japan, the 
Republic of Korea and Taiwan. The EU will also cooperate with partners to strengthen rules 
to protect international trade against unfair practices, such as industrial subsidies, economic 
coercion, forced technology transfers and intellectual property theft.  

Decent work deficits and violations of fundamental labour rights will need to be addressed to 
make  supply  chains  more  sustainable  and  responsible.  As  a  champion  of  responsible 
business  conduct,  the  EU  will  aim  to  create  a  critical  mass  of  countries  supporting 
environmental,  human  and  labour  rights,  due  diligence  and  best  practices.8  Bilateral  and 
multilateral efforts will be accompanied by EU initiatives under the European Green Deal to 
ensure  responsible  business  conduct  and  support  the  fight  against  deforestation  and 
biodiversity  loss.  The  EU  will  also  continue  to  promote  the  integration  of  developing  and 
least-developed countries into regional and global value chains.  

In order to reduce technical barriers to trade, the EU will work with likeminded Indo-Pacific 
partners  on  standard  setting  and  other  regulatory  priorities,  in  compliance  with  WTO 
principles. The EU will also initiate regulatory cooperation in areas to support the green and 
digital transitions, as for example the EU and India agreed to do in May 2021.  

In  light  of  the  fundamental  role  of  the  transport  sector  in  securing  resilient  supply  chains 
and promoting a green socio-economic recovery, a key objective of the EU will be to ensure 
the resilience of the Indo-Pacific region’s transport systems against future crises. Cooperation 
to  maintain and ensure maritime security and freedom of navigation, in  accordance with 
international  law  and  in  particular  the  United  Nations  Convention  on  the  Law  of  the  Sea 
(UNCLOS), will be essential.  

Building Blocks of our Trade Relationship 

8   Upcoming EU legislation on this issue will create the need to scale up the EU’s "Responsible Supply Chains in Asia" 
project with China, Japan, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The EU and the UN are working with India, 
Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand to promote the uptake of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and 
Human Rights in Asia. 

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The EU is committed to further engagement on open, sustainable and rules-based trade with 
partners in the Indo-Pacific region, including on building support for the modernization of the 
World  Trade  Organisation.  Particular  attention  will  be  paid  to  implementing  and  enforcing 
the  comprehensive  trade  agreements  with  Japan,  the  Republic  of  Korea,  Singapore  and 
Vietnam, and the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the Pacific States9, as well as 
the  EU  investment  protection  agreements  with  Singapore  and  Vietnam  that  are  expected  to 
enter into force in the coming years.  

Progress  in  ratifying  the  Comprehensive  Agreement  on  Investment  (CAI),  on  which 
negotiations  were  concluded  with  China  at  the  end  of  2020,  is  in  the  EU’s  and  China’s 
mutual interest. 

The EU will aim to conclude trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand, continue to 
work towards an  agreement  with  Indonesia as well as an  Economic  Partnership Agreement 
with  the  East  Africa  Community.  In  May  2021,  the  EU  and  India  agreed  to  resume  trade 
negotiations  and  to  launch  negotiations  for  a  separate  investment  protection  agreement  and 
for  an  agreement  on  geographical  indications.  Once  concluded,  these  agreements  will 
considerably  enhance  the  EU-India  trade  and  investment  relationship.  The  EU  will  also 
pursue its deep trade and investment relationships with partners with whom it does not have 
trade and investment agreements, such as Taiwan.  

In  addition,  the  EU  remains  interested  in  further  engaging  with  ASEAN  and  its  member 
states,  including  through  the  possible  resumption  of  trade  negotiations  with  Malaysia,  the 
Philippines and Thailand, once the conditions are right, and by the eventual negotiation of a 
region-to-region trade agreement. 

Several  Indo-Pacific  countries  benefit  from  EU  tariff  preferences  under  the  Generalised 
Scheme of Preferences (GSP), facilitating access to EU markets. While the least developed 
countries  in  the  region  benefit  from  the  duty-free,  quota-free  Everything  But  Arms 
arrangement10, Pakistan, the Philippines and Sri Lanka gain from the incentive arrangement 
for  sustainable  development  and  good  governance  (GSP+).  These  instruments  have 
contributed  considerably  to  the  economic  development  of  these  countries,  their  respect  for 
human  and  labour  rights,  and  the  protection  of  environment  and  improvements  in 
governance.  

4.2 GREEN TRANSITION  

EU  action  in  the  Indo-Pacific  is  based  on  a  long-term  plan  to  work  with  partners  to  fight, 
mitigate  and  adapt  to  climate  change  and  to  counter  biodiversity  loss,  pollution  and  other 
forms  of  environmental  degradation.  This  will  be  achieved  by  tackling  the  drivers  of  these 
phenomena and by moving to a more circular economy.  

As part of the strategy, the EU will:  

9 The coverage of the existing EPA with the Pacific Island States (Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa and Solomon Islands) is 
likely to extend to new members (Tonga, Timor-Leste and possibly Kiribati, Tuvalu and Vanuatu), and its scope is likely to 
be deepened to services and investment. 
10 All countries categorised as Least Developed Countries by the UN qualify for the “Everything but Arms” scheme. In the 
Indo-Pacific region this concerns inter alia Bangladesh, Cambodia, Djibouti, Laos, Madagascar, Mozambique. 

7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
  Conclude Green Alliances11 with like-minded partners that have signed up to the goal 
of  climate  neutrality  by  2050  and  other  ambitious  climate  and  environmental 
objectives. The first such alliance was agreed with Japan in May 2021. The EU will 
also build Green Partnerships with other partners. 

  Continue to use the International Platform on Sustainable Finance12 to share best 
practices  and  seek  common  ground  with  like-minded  partners  on  approaches  and 
tools.  

  Engage with the largest emitting countries or regional organisations that can play a 
decisive role in fighting climate change and promoting the global green transition. 
  Continue  to  prioritise  the  transition  away  from  coal  in  bilateral  and  multilateral 
engagements and international fora, including ending new coal investments, phase-out 
of  unabated  coal-fired  power  generation  and  coal  mining,  and  engage  on  just 
transition with the partners in the region.  

  Step  up  its  work  with  the  region  to  protect  biodiversity  and  restore  degraded 
ecosystems on land and in the oceans. This will include work with key partners on an 
ambitious post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.  

  Cooperate to create the conditions for more circular-production models, more resilient 
supply  chains  between  the  EU  and  the  region,  and  more  responsible  resource 
extraction 

  Promote deforestation-free supply chains. 
  Continue to promote enhanced regional and global action to tackle plastic pollution13, 

notably by cooperating with ASEAN, Japan and China. 

  Continue high-level dialogues and other forms of engagement on environment in the 
region  notably  with  ASEAN,  Australia,  China,  India,  Indonesia,  Japan,  Republic  of 
Korea, South Africa and other partners showing interest.  

The  Neighbourhood,  Development  and  International  Cooperation  Instrument  (NDICI)  – 
Global Europe14 , has increased the spending target for actions focusing on fighting climate 
change  to  30%.  Around  35%  of  the  Horizon  Europe  research  programme  will  also  be 
dedicated to  climate action, offering significant  cooperation opportunities for EU and  Indo-
Pacific partners to address climate change and biodiversity loss. 

Clean Energy and Transport 

In this area, the EU intends to focus on: 

  Mobilising energy dialogues, partnerships, and financial  instruments  for  sustainable, 

secure and affordable energy.15 

  Prioritising  a  just  transition  towards  a  decarbonised,  integrated  energy  system  that 
takes into account and mitigates the impact on more vulnerable countries and regions. 

11 Green Alliances and Partnerships https://ec.europa.eu/international-partnerships/topics/green-deal_en 
12 Platform on Sustainable Finance  https://ec.europa.eu/info/business-economy-euro/banking-and-finance/sustainable-
finance/overview-sustainable-finance/platform-sustainable-finance_en  
13 Notably through the Re-thinking Plastics project 
14 Regulation (EU) 2021/947 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 June 2021 establishing the Neighbourhood, 
Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe. 
15  Existing  partnerships  include  projects  such  as  the  Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India  TAPI  Pipeline  and  the 
Central Asia-South Asia CASA1000 energy project.  

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  Continuing  cooperation  with  Indo-Pacific  partners  on  R&D  on  clean  energy 
technology,  including  renewable  hydrogen  as  a  priority  area,  to  enable  a  faster, 
cheaper and more efficient energy transition.16 

 

  Boosting cooperation under the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, 
focusing on cities as drivers of climate action and clean energy transition, in order to 
double the number of signatories in the region (nearly 300 cities by 2023). 
Implementing  its  Sustainable  and  Smart  Mobility  Strategy  to  address  the  issues  of 
decarbonisation and digitalisation with  Indo-Pacific partners  and at  the  International 
Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the International Maritime Organisation. 
  Continuing its engagement  with  several  Indo-Pacific economies on  digitalisation of 
transport, as well as in the rail sector, in particular with regard to the deployment of 
the European Rail Traffic Management System. 

4.3 OCEAN GOVERNANCE  

The EU will take forward action to strengthening ocean governance in the Indo-Pacific in full 
compliance  with  international  law,  in  particular  UNCLOS,  and  with  the  main  objective  to 
ensure the sustainable management of the ocean’s resources and safeguarding biodiversity.17 
Through  its  various  Sustainable  Fisheries  Partnership  Agreements  in  the  region18  and  its 
dialogues  and  working  groups19  on  Illegal,  Unreported  and  Unregulated  (IUU)  fishing,  the 
EU  will  continue  supporting  Indo-Pacific  partners  in  achieving  reforms  of  fisheries 
management and control systems. This should improve fisheries compliance, and contribute 
to  the  conservation  and  sustainable  management  of  marine  biological  resources  across  the 
region.  

As the largest export market for seafood products from the Indo-Pacific region, the EU is an 
active  member  of  several  Regional  Fisheries  Management  Organisations20  which  play  a 
fundamental role in the sustainable management of fisheries resources. The EU also intends 
to  become  a  member  of  the  North  Pacific  Fisheries  Commission.  The  EU  will  continue  its 
efforts  to  increase  the  performance  of  these  bodies  and  engage  with  like-minded  partners 
within  the  RFMOs  in  the  Indo-Pacific  region  to  support  them  in  delivering  sustainable 
fisheries.  

In addition, the EU will:  

  Help broker agreement at the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine 
Living Resources on the designation of three new Maritime Protected Areas (MPAs) 
in the Southern Ocean. 

  Build  capacity  for  better  ocean  governance  by  creating  an  international  marine  data 

network and a regional ocean forecasting system.  

  Continue  engaging  with  the  region  to  promote  better  regional  ocean  governance, 
the 
pollution  prevention  and  marine  conservation,  notably  by  supporting 

16 The 2015 Mission Innovation (MI) framework has stimulated investments of over $4.9 billion in clean energy innovation 
per year and over 70 new collaborations over the past 5 years, now focusing on innovation on shipping, hydrogen and power.  
17 In line with the Joint Communication on International Ocean Governance JOIN(2016) 49 final 
18  Cook  Islands,  Kiribati,  Federated  States  of  Micronesia,  Solomon  Islands,  Madagascar,  Mauritius,  Mozambique  and 
Seychelles. Discussions with other partners in the region will be pursued.  
19 with Taiwan, Thailand, China, Thailand, Ghana, Korea, the US and Japan. 
20  The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Organisation, the Western and Central Pacific 
Fisheries Commission and the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation. 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
implementation  of  relevant  Regional  Seas  Conventions  and  Action  Plans.  The 
effective management of Marine Protected Areas will be ensured through initiatives 
like the EU-South East Asia twinning project. 

  Continue  its  high-level  dialogues  on  ocean  affairs  and  fisheries  with  Australia, 

Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand as well as “Ocean Partnership” with China. 

  Continue to play a key role as a global maritime security provider (see section 4.6). 
  Promote  living  and  working  conditions  of  fishers  in  accordance  with  the  labour 

standards of the ILO. 

4.4 DIGITAL GOVERNANCE AND PARTNERSHIPS 

In  line  with  the  Communication  2030  Digital  Compass:  the  European  way  for  the  Digital 
Decade21,  the  EU  will  seek  to  enhance  its  international  digital  partnerships  in  the  Indo-
Pacific region and set up new ones. These partnerships aim to enhance technical, policy and 
research cooperation with partners on infrastructures, digital transformation of business and 
public  services,  and  skills  development,  also  with  a  view  to  facilitating  digital  trade.  They 
will  allow  the  EU  and  like-minded  partners  to  ensure  the  development  of  standards  for 
emerging technologies, including in areas like artificial intelligence, in line with democratic 
principles  and  fundamental  rights.  They  will  be  underpinned  by  a  toolbox,  drawing  on 
regulatory  cooperation,  capacity  building  and  skills,  and  investment  in  international 
cooperation and research partnerships.  

In the most advanced cases, the EU will seek to formalise such partnerships through Digital 
Partnership  Agreements  to  be  negotiated  with  like-minded  partners  in  the  Indo-Pacific. 
Such agreements would expand the bilateral trade and investment relationship by enhancing 
cooperation on and interoperability of standards for emerging technologies, such as Artificial 
Intelligence, based on democratic principles and fundamental rights, building more resilient 
technology  supply  chains,  supporting  values-based  innovation  and  facilitating  business 
opportunities  for  start-ups  and  SMEs.  They  would  enable  deepened  cooperation  on  data 
governance,  trusted  flows  and  data-based  innovation.  They  would  complement  ongoing 
negotiations on e-commerce within the World Trade Organisation on specific issues that are 
relevant for the facilitation of digital trade. At an initial stage, the EU proposes to explore the 
launch of negotiations with Japan22, Republic of Korea and Singapore. 

The  digital  partnership  between  the  EU  and  India  was  strengthened  in  May  2021  with  an 
agreement  to  deepen  cooperation  on  emerging  technologies,  ranging  from  Artificial 
Intelligence to High Performance Computing and from Quantum Technologies to secure 5G 
technology and public sector digitalisation.  

In  the  years  ahead,  the  EU  will  enhance  its  cooperation  with  ASEAN  by  supporting  the 
ASEAN  Digital  Masterplan  2025.  The  EU  is  considering  proposing  an  EU-ASEAN 
approach  covering  digital  connectivity  and  science,  research,  technology  and  investment  in 
innovation. 

21 2030 Digital Compass: the European way for the Digital Decade: Digital decade (europa.eu) 
22  At  the  Summit  held  in  May  2021,  the  EU  and  Japan  set  out  to  strengthen  their  Digital  Partnership  by  agreeing  to  a 
cooperation  roadmap  for  expanding  cooperation  on  6G,  standardisation,  Artificial  Intelligence,  block  chain,  quantum 
technology or cyber security, as well as to cooperate towards more resilient supply chains for semiconductors, and to explore 
cooperation on innovation in advanced semiconductors  

10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
The  EU  will  also  continue  its  engagement  in  the  region  to  promote  convergence  between 
data  protection  regimes  to  ensure  safe  and  free  data  flows,  both  within  the  region  and 
beyond, including with the EU. This includes actively engaging with key partners to reach an 
“adequacy finding”, where the conditions are met. This has already yielded results, such as 
the creation of the world’s largest area of free and safe data flows between the EU and Japan 
in  2019  and  the  conclusion  of  adequacy  talks  with  the  Republic  of  Korea  in  2021.  In 
addition,  important  work  is  ongoing  with  New  Zealand  to  ensure  the  continuity  of  the 
adequacy  decision  adopted  under  the  EU’s  previous  data  protection  regime.  Other  partners 
such as India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Thailand have adopted, or are putting in 
place,  modern  data  protection  laws.  This  could  possibly  pave  the  way  for  future  adequacy 
talks. The EU is also stepping up its dialogue with regional organisations and networks such 
as ASEAN that are playing an increasing role in shaping common data protection standards. 

Research and Innovation 

International  cooperation  on  research  and  innovation  is  crucial  for  the  green  and  digital 
transitions  and  for  promoting  growth,  prosperity  and  social  well-being.  Cooperation  with 
partners in the Indo-Pacific will be promoted under ‘Horizon Europe’, in line with the EU’s 
Global Approach23 to Research and Innovation. It will be based on the principle of openness, 
balanced with greater levels of reciprocity and seeking a level-playing field based on respect 
for fundamental  principles such as academic  freedom,  gender equality, ethics,  integrity  and 
inclusiveness of research, open science and evidence-based policy-making.  

The Horizon Europe programme offers the possibility for partners sharing common values to 
become  associated,  in  order  enable  more  systemic  joint  Research  and  Innovation 
opportunities. Informal discussions have started with Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, 
New  Zealand  and  Singapore.  The  EU  will  also  continue  to  promote  cooperation  in  human 
capital  development,  including  training  and  mobility  of  researchers  through  the  Marie 
Skłodowska-Curie  Actions  programme. 
  Scientific  cooperation  and  development  of 
collaborative regional activities is also part of the EU-ASEAN partnership. 

Education 

EU  investments  in  education  will  be  increased  to  at  least  10%  of  the  Neighbourhood, 
Development  and  International  Cooperation  Instrument  (NDICI)  –  Global  Europe24  with  a 
view to strengthening education systems. The recent Team Europe pledge of EUR 1.7 billion 
to the Global Partnership on Education will translate into increased funding for primary and 
secondary education, as well as Technical and Vocational Education and Training. 

The  new  Erasmus+  programme  will  also  provide  continued  opportunities  for  academic 
exchanges  of  students  and  teachers  between  the  Indo-Pacific  region  and  Europe,  in  key 
policy areas linked to the green and digital transitions in particular.25  

23 Global Approach to International Cooperation on Research and Innovation  
24 Regulation (EU) 2021/947 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 June 2021 establishing the Neighbourhood, 
Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe 
25 Over the 2014-2020 period, Erasmus+ allowed more than 18 000 exchanges of students and teachers between the Indo-
Pacific region and Europe, with two thirds of the beneficiaries coming from the Indo-Pacific region to Europe. 

11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
4.5 CONNECTIVITY 

The EU will aim to promote all dimensions of connectivity  with Indo-Pacific partners. The 
principles  of  the  EU’s  approach26  (sustainable,  comprehensive  and  rules-based)  are  a  core 
part of this Indo-Pacific Strategy.  

Full  partnership  between  the  EU  and  its  Member  States  will  be  crucial  in  developing  this 
cooperation. The EU will promote investments in digitalisation and better connect Europe to 
its  partners  in  the  Indo-Pacific,  including  by  means  of  Team  Europe  initiatives  and  in  line 
with the March 2021 EU Declaration on “European Data Gateways”27. This will be achieved 
in  part  by  helping  partners  to  put  in  place  a  regulatory  and  policy  environment  that  will 
attract  private  and  public  investment,  level  the  playing  field,  ensure  the  fulfilment  of 
sustainability criteria and the adoption of international standards and principles.  

Mobilising private investment will need to involve Member States’ public banks and export 
credit  agencies,  in  partnership  with  the  EU’s  private  sector  and  EU  institutions.  Where 
appropriate,  and  in  addition  to  the  Neighbourhood,  Development  and  International 
Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) – Global Europe, complementarity will be sought with other 
EU instruments such as ‘Connecting Europe Facility’, ‘Horizon Europe’ or InvestEU, along 
with  resources  and  technical  assistance  from  the  European  Investment  Bank,  the  European 
Bank for Reconstruction and Development and International Financial Institutions. 

The EU’s first two “Connectivity Partners”, Japan and India, are core Indo-Pacific partners, 
as is ASEAN, with which the EU agreed a joint Ministerial Declaration on Connectivity in 
December 2020. The EU will seek to collaborate with these partners on joint projects, while 
seeking  increased  collaboration  with  other  regional  partners  such  as  Australia  and  the 
Republic of Korea as well as with international actors such as the United States and Canada, 
both  multilaterally  (G7/G20)  and  bilaterally.  The  conclusion  of  the  negotiations  on  the 
ASEAN-EU Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement (CATA), the first such region-to-
region  agreement,  encompassing  37  countries,  shows  the  EU’s  determination  to  deepen 
connectivity with this region.  

The EU will further: 

 

strengthen relations at the highest technical level through its  Transport Dialogues with 
partners  in  the  region,  such  as  ASEAN,  Singapore  and  Japan,  and  shortly  with  the 
Republic of Korea and Australia; 

  continue to fund sector-specific technical cooperation such as Aviation Partnerships with 

a number of Asian regions; 

  Continue  the  EU  bilateral  maritime  transport  and  security  dialogues  with  strategic 

partners.  

  Pursue space dialogues, including a security component where appropriate, and establish 

new exchanges with partners in the region.  

Further  efforts  will  be  made  to  engage  on  connectivity  with  partners  and  regional 
organisations in East Africa and the Western Indian Ocean, to ensure greater alignment with 

26 As set out in the 2018 Communication on EU-Asia Connectivity. 
27  European  Data  Gateways  Declaration:  digital_day_2021_data_gateways_declaration_E5DAD6A3-ECB7-0A42-
CB1F162C9F47AC25_74941 (3).pdf 

12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
infrastructure  priorities  endorsed  by  the  African  Union  for  2021-2030.  The  Pacific 
Community  should  also  benefit  from  closer  ties.  The  EU  will  seek  complementarity  with 
existing  regional  initiatives  in  South  Asia.28  More  broadly,  the  EU  will  seek  synergies  on 
north-south  links  in  the  region,  and  will  continue  to  participate  in  the  ASEM  sustainable 
connectivity framework. 

4.6 SECURITY AND DEFENCE 

The  EU  seeks  to  promote  an  open  and  rules-based  regional  security  architecture,  including 
secure  sea  lines  of  communication,  capacity-building  and  enhanced  naval  presence  in  the 
Indo-Pacific in accordance with the legal framework established by the UNCLOS.  

The  EU  and  the  Indo-Pacific  partners  face  increasingly  similar  security  challenges  and 
threats.29 The EU has expanded its security engagement with partners by deploying overseas 
missions  and  operations  in  the  framework  of  the  Common  Security  and  Defence  Policy 
(CSDP)  including,  in  2005,  a  civilian  mission  to  monitor  the  Aceh  Peace  Process  in 
Indonesia,  which  was  conducted  with  five  ASEAN  partners:  Malaysia,  Thailand,  Brunei, 
Singapore  and  the  Philippines.  The  EU  currently  has  18  civilian  and  military  missions 
worldwide, including the EU naval operation EUNAVFOR Somalia - Operation Atalanta 
in the Indian Ocean, as well as EUTM Mozambique. 

Naval Presence 

Over the past year, EU Naval Force Somalia (EU NAVFOR) – Operation Atalanta conducted 
successful joint naval activities with Indo-Pacific partners, including Japan, Pakistan, India 
and Djibouti. The EU will seek to conduct  more joint exercises and port calls with  Indo-
Pacific  partners,  including  multilateral  exercises,  to  fight  piracy  and  protect  freedom  of 
navigation while reinforcing EU naval diplomacy in the region. 

Given the importance of a meaningful European naval presence in the Indo-Pacific, the EU 
will explore ways to ensure enhanced naval deployments by its Member States in the region. 
Taking  into  account  the  lessons  learned  from  the  first  assessment  of  the  EU  Coordinated 
Maritime  Presences  (CMP)  concept30,  the  EU  will  assess  the  opportunity  of  establishing 
Maritime  Areas  of  Interest  in  the  Indo-Pacific  and  engage  with  partners  in  the  region, 
including by exploring the possibility for them to be associated with this initiative. 

Maritime Security Capacity-Building 

The  EU  will  continue  to  implement  its  programme  to  promote  Regional  Maritime  Security 
for the partners of the Western Indian Ocean, and also seek to extend its Critical Maritime 
Routes  in  the  Indian  Ocean  (CRIMARIO)  capacity-building  project  to  the  Southern 
Pacific,  and  increase  synergies  with  likeminded  partners.  It  will  build  maritime  capacity 
against drug trafficking, human trafficking and wildlife crime, and also illicit financial flows 

28 Including the South Asia Regional Infrastructure Connectivity Initiative, the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral 
Technical and Economic Cooperation, and the Coalition for Development of Resilient Infrastructure. 
29 May 2018 Council conclusions on the Enhanced EU Security Cooperation in and with Asia. 
30 
pilot-case-for-the-coordinated-maritime-presences-concept/  

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/01/25/gulf-of-guinea-council-conclusions-launching-the-

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
linked  to  terrorism.  The  EU  will  also  encourage  the  consolidation  of  information-sharing 
mechanisms  through  information  fusion  centres,  including  through  the  Indo-Pacific 
Regional Information Sharing (IORIS) platform.  

Broadening our Partnerships 

The EU will seek to play a stronger role in the ASEAN security architecture and participate 
in the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM+) structures and the East Asia 
Summit.  In  addition,  the  EU  will  step  up  its  engagement  in  other  fora,  such  as  the  Indian 
Ocean Naval Symposium. 

The EU will intensify its dialogues with partners on security and defence, including counter-
terrorism,  cybersecurity,  non-proliferation  and  disarmament,  space  and  maritime  security 
dialogues. In this context, it is deploying military advisors to  EU Delegations in the region 
(to date to  China and  Indonesia). The EU will establish an EU Cyber Diplomacy  Network, 
working with the EU Delegations, as well as with relevant Member States’ embassies around 
the world.  

The  EU  will  also  step  up  activities  with  partners  under  the  project  Enhancing  Security 
Cooperation  in  and  with  Asia  (ESIWA),  which  covers  counter-terrorism,  cybersecurity, 
maritime security and crisis management.  The pilot partners are India, Indonesia, Japan, the 
Republic  of  Korea,  Singapore  and  Vietnam,  with  EU  military  experts  already  operating  in 
Indonesia and in Vietnam. 

Indo-Pacific  partners  have  already  contributed  to  EU  CSDP  missions  and  operations  for 
peace  and  stability.  The  EU  has  concluded  Framework  Participation  Agreements  with 
Australia, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand and Vietnam. The EU will encourage greater 
participation  of  Indo-Pacific  partners  in  CSDP  missions  and  operations,  seek  to  conclude 
Framework  Participation  Agreements  with  other  Indo-Pacific  partners,  and,  in  addition, 
support Indo-Pacific partners’ efforts to develop their own peacekeeping capacity.  

New Security Challenges  

On  cybersecurity,  the  EU  will  strengthen  capacity-building  for  partners  to  tackle 
cybercrime,  making  use  of  existing  standards  and  cooperation  mechanisms  (namely  the 
Council of Europe “Budapest Convention” on cybercrime), and to increase cyber-resilience. 
On  counter-terrorism,  it  will  take  action  to  empower  communities  to  counter  violent 
extremism.  The  EU  will  also  promote  cooperation  between  Europol  and  law-enforcement 
agencies of partners. 

The EU will cooperate  with  partners on  nuclear safety and non-proliferation of nuclear, 
chemical and biological weapons. It will support the implementation and universalisation of 
the Arms Trade Treaty, and seek to develop multilateral initiatives on arm export control 
and  dual  use  export  control  with  likeminded  partners.  The  EU  Chemical,  Biological, 
Radiological  and  Nuclear  (CBRN)  Risk  Mitigation  Centres  of  Excellence  Initiative  (EU 
CBRN  CoE),  has  been  cooperating  with  ASEAN  countries  since  2010.  It  will  continue  to 

14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
support partners and regions in strengthening CBRN risk mitigation and all-hazards security 
governance, following a voluntary and demand-driven approach31.  

The EU will help combat foreign information manipulation and interference by state and 
non-state actors in the Indo-Pacific region through new tools aimed at identifying, analysing, 
assessing, countering and imposing costs on information manipulation. It will expand expert 
networks in the region, share information and experience with likeminded partners, and raise 
awareness  of  information  manipulation  and  interference.  Action  in  this  field  will  include 
support for independent content for media outlets. This will help foster a pluralistic and fact-
based  information  environment,  reduce  dependence  on  state-controlled  foreign  outlets,  and 
counter their impact. 

4.7 HUMAN SECURITY 

Health 

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed, worldwide, the weaknesses of healthcare systems, of 
epidemic response mechanisms and of research and manufacturing capacities in the field of 
viral diseases and vaccines. Health has therefore become a key focus of our cooperation 
with  many  partners  in  the  Indo-Pacific  region.  The  EU  adopted  two  major  regional 
programmes in 2020 to assist our partners in coping with the sanitary impact of the pandemic.  

The EU will continue to work with all Indo-Pacific partners to ensure an effective multilateral 
response to the COVID-19 and future global health crisis. This would encompass:  
  Helping low and middle-income Indo-Pacific partners to secure access to the COVID-19 
vaccine  through  the  COVAX  facility  and  through  other  means.  The  EU  has  supported 
many countries in the region32 by providing personal and medical equipment, medicines 
and  health  expertise.  India  will  be  a  focus  for  cooperation,  including  on  the  quality  of 
active  pharmaceutical  ingredients.  The  future  EU  Health  emergency  and  preparedness 
response  authority  will  cooperate  closely  with  global  partners  to  address  international 
to  medical 
supply  chains  and  expand  global  production  capacity  and  access 
countermeasures 

  Enhanced multilateral cooperation in line with the EU Pharmaceutical Strategy to secure 
safe  and  diverse  pharmaceutical  and  health-related  industrial  supply  chains,  to 
facilitate access to quality medicines and health products. 

  Collaborative  research  for  combating  communicable  diseases  and  improving  access  to 
medicines  and  health  treatments.  Under  the  ‘Horizon  Europe’  research  programme, 
Indo-Pacific  partners  will  be  able  to  take  part  in  EU-funded  Research  and  Innovation 
actions.  

31 https://europa.eu/cbrn-risk-mitigation/index_en  
32 Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Kiribati, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, 
Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines,  Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Timor-
Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Vietnam 

15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
                                                           
  Connecting interested countries that have put in place interoperable COVID-19 certificate 
systems  to  the  EU  Digital  COVID  Certificate.  The  EU  has  made  the  technical 
specifications as well as underlying software publicly available in open source format. 
  Supporting transformation towards healthy and sustainable food systems. The EU aims to 
enhance  cooperation  on  its  Farm  to  Fork  and  Biodiversity  Strategies  with  like-minded 
partners.  The  EU  intends  to  establish  dialogues  on  sustainable  food  systems  with 
interested  Indo-Pacific  partners  (some  of  which  are  planning  their  own  sustainability 
policies  and  programmes)  or  enter  into  bilateral  and  multilateral  arrangements  with  a 
view to support collaboration on food safety, animal and plant health and sustainability.   

  Working together to fight air pollution, especially in urban centres.  

Reinforcing the EU’s disaster risk reduction and preparedness engagement 

The  Indo-Pacific  region  is  highly  exposed  to  natural  and  human-induced  disasters.  Climate 
change not only amplifies this  exposure, but is also a threat multiplier that complicates and 
prolongs  conflict  situations,  thus  increasing  humanitarian  needs.  In  particular,  anticipatory 
approaches to humanitarian action and early warning systems can help bolster the resilience 
of communities in vulnerable regions. The EU will use its Chairmanship of the Platform on 
Disaster  Displacement  in  2022  to  promote  global  efforts  to  protect  people  displaced  by 
disasters and climate change in the Indo-Pacific. 

For  the  last  25  years,  the  EU  has  been  working  with  actors  in  the  region  on  disaster 
preparedness and response - including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Mozambique, Bangladesh, 
Myanmar,  Philippines,  Nepal  and  some  ASEAN  countries  most  affected  by  natural  and 
human-induced disasters. The EU has provided relief items or emergency teams in response 
to  emergencies  or  disasters  and  will  continue  to  support  disaster  management  capacity 
building  with  organisations  like  the  ASEAN  Coordinating  Centre  for  Humanitarian 
Assistance  (AHA  Centre).  Actions  in  the  context  of  the  Coalition  for  Disaster  Resilient 
Infrastructure will also be considered.  

The European Global Navigation Satellite system will offer a new service to broadcast alert 
messages  using  the  Galileo  infrastructure.  Collaboration  is  ongoing  with  Japan  towards  a 
common emergency message format. The EU’s Copernicus Emergency Management Service 
continues  to  assist  relief  effort  of  Indo-Pacific  countries  and  provides  early  warning  and 
monitoring information on floods, droughts and forest fires. 

5.  IMPLEMENTING THE AGENDA: KEY ACTIONS 

The EU will mainstream this strategy into existing dialogues with its regional and multilateral 
partners,  and  coordinate  approaches  to  the  Indo-Pacific  with  EU  Member  States.  Its 
implementation  will  be  enhanced  by  summits,  ministerial  meetings,  dialogues  and  future 
agreements with partners in the region. The European Parliament will be kept fully informed. 

The  implementation  of  the  Strategy  will  be  financed  from  a  number  of  sources  – 
including  the  Neighbourhood,  Development  and  International  Cooperation  Instrument 
(NDICI) – Global Europe, – in accordance with its scope. The EU will maximise the impact 
of its budget by implementing guarantees and blended finance instruments supported by the 
European  Fund  for  Sustainable  Development  “Plus”  to  ensure  broad-based  mobilisation  of 

16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
development  finance,  including  from  the  private  sector,  in  cooperation  with  European  and 
international financial institutions.  

Highlights of proposed EU actions: 

  Engaging  with  Indo-Pacific  partners  to  build  more  resilient  and  sustainable  global 
value  chains  by  diversifying  trade  and  economic  relations,  and  by  developing 
technological  standards  and  regulations  that  are  in  line  with  our  values  and 
principles. 

  Completing  EU  trade  negotiations  with  Australia,  Indonesia  and  New  Zealand; 
resuming  trade  negotiations  and  starting  investment  negotiations  with  India; 
completing  an  Economic  Partnership  Agreement  with  the  East  Africa  Community; 
assessing the possible resumption of trade negotiations with Malaysia, the Philippines 
and Thailand, and the eventual negotiation of a region-to-region trade agreement with 
ASEAN. 

  Concluding  Partnership  and  Cooperation  Agreements  (PCA)  with  Malaysia  and 
Thailand;  starting  PCA  negotiations  with  the  Maldives,  and  bringing  the  EU’s 
upcoming  Partnership  Agreement  with  the  African,  Caribbean,  and  Pacific  (ACP)  to 
full fruition. 

  Concluding Green Alliances and Partnerships with willing and ambitious Indo-Pacific 

partners to fight against climate change and environmental degradation. 

  Strengthening ocean governance in the region, including increasing the EU’s support 
for  Indo-Pacific  countries’  fisheries  management  and  control  systems,  the  fight 
against  IUU  fishing  and  the  implementation  of  Sustainable  Fisheries  Partnership 
Agreements. 

  Expanding  the  network  of  digital  partnerships  with  Indo-Pacific  partners,  as  well  as 

exploring the possibility of new Digital Partnership Agreements. 

  Stepping  up  implementation  of  the  Connectivity  Partnerships  with  Japan  and  India; 
supporting  partners  in  establishing  an  appropriate  regulatory  environment  and 
facilitating  the  mobilisation  of  the  necessary  funding  to  improve  connectivity  on  the 
ground between Europe and the Indo-Pacific. 

  Strengthen cooperation on research and innovation under ‘Horizon Europe’; explore 
the association to this programme of eligible likeminded Indo-Pacific partners such as 
Australia, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand and Singapore. 

  Exploring ways to ensure enhanced naval deployments by EU Member States to help 
protect the sea lines of communication and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific 
while boosting Indo-Pacific partners’ capacity to ensure maritime security. 

  Reinforcing  support to  healthcare systems and pandemic preparedness  for  the least-
developed  countries  in  the  Indo-Pacific  region,  enhancing  collaborative  research  on 
communicable diseases in the context of the Horizon Europe research programme. 

The  Commission  and  the  High  Representative  invite  the  European  Parliament  and  the 
Council to endorse the approach set out in this Joint Communication and to work together on 
the implementation of its actions and their review. 

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