- 9th ASEF Journalists' Colloquium
12 - 13 November 2013
- 11th Asia-Europe Classroom Network Conference
28 Oct - 1 Nov 2013
- 13th Informal ASEM Seminar on Human Rights: "Human...
21 - 23 October 2013
12 - 13 November 2013
28 Oct - 1 Nov 2013
21 - 23 October 2013
There is a need to change the global system in order to tackle the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, increasing scarcity of natural resources, hazardous waste management, and growing urbanisation.
We work to strengthen information exchange and create a space where the civil society, the academia, businesses, and governments can meet to analyse issues and discuss solutions and possible policy changes.
We have initiated several platforms for dialogue between stakeholders in Asia and Europe, one of which occurs at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark. Our programmes tackle issues from a scientific, social, and cultural perspective, and often result in innovative policy recommendations for decision makers in both regions. For details, please click on our brochure.
For more information about our activities in this area, please contact us or click on one of our related programmes.
9th ASEF Journalists' Colloquium
The 9th ASEF Journalists' Colloquium will focus on the issue of energy, green economy and sustainable development in the context of poverty reduction. Green economy was heralded as the way forward during the recently concluded Rio+20 Conference...
13th Informal ASEM Seminar on Human Rights: "Human Rights and the Environment"
The 13th Informal ASEM Seminar on Human Rights will take place on 21-23 October 2013 in Copenhagen, Denmark, on the topic “Human Rights and the Environment”. With over 120 civil society and government representatives participating, the Seminar...
AU19 will look into the role of cultural heritage in the process of sustainable urbanisation and its relevance to modern-day societies. Combining elements of the 17th and 18th editions of the ASEF University programme, it will be aligned with the priorities...
ASEF Green Action aims to raise awareness on the harmfull effects of plastic on the environment. The initiative includes a variety of activities, such as public launches, bag exchanges and workshops, coordinated by selected 18th ASEF University...
Study on Sustainable Development Goals in ASEM Countries
The Asia-Europe Environment Forum (ENVforum) has launched a research project to identify best practices in sustainable development with particular relevance for the creation of sustainable development goals (SDGs). Specifically, the project will propose...
Asia Europe Relations - 30 Years in the Future
The Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) and the United Nations University-Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNU-CRIS) organised a presentation of the ASEM Outlook Report 2012 in Bangkok (Thailand) on 11 March 2013. The ASEM Outlook Report...
Expert Consultation on Knowledge and Capacity Needs for Sustainable Development
The Asia-Europe Environment Forum is co-organsing Expert Consultation on Knowledge and Capacity Needs for Sustainable Development in Post-Rio+20 Era. The meeting aims to capture a number of initiatives over the past decades providing sustainability knowledge...
Call for proposals: Sustainable Development Goals Creation in ASEM Countries
The Asia-Europe Environment Forum (the ENvforum) invites you to answer the call for proposal on Research on Sustainable Development Goals Creation in ASEM Countries. The objective of the research is to identify existing best practices on sustainable...
Co-organised by ASEF and UNU-CRIS, the workshop provided a platform on which the findings of the ASEM Outlook Report and other cross-cutting issues of relevance to Asia and Europe can be discussed. The Workshop participants reviewed the Report...
Sustainable Development Assessment: Towards Measureable Goals
The seminar titled "Sustainable Development Assessment: Towards Measureable Goals" took place on 21-22 November 2012 and was followed by 14th Asia-Europe Environment Forum Steering Committee Meeting on 23 November 2012. The participants represented international...
Watch the 18th ASEF University Video: Overview The 18th ASEF University (AU18), themed “Conscious Consumers for Environmental Sustainability”, took place from 18 August to 1 September in the Estonian city of Tartu. The programme...
Asia-Europe Environment Forum in Rio+20
The Rio+20 Summit took place on the 20-22 of June 2012 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Issues discussed include the global failures to solve environmental, social and economic emergencies. World leaders had previously met 20 years ago and the negotiators today...
3rd Asia-Europe Strategies for the Earth Summit 2012 workshop
Rio+20 in 2012 will be a defining point in the international dialogue on environment and sustainable development. Taking into account various processes that will lead to ensuring the relevance of the outcomes of this conference the Asia Europe Environment...
Linking the Arts to Environment and Sustainable Development Issues
In 2010, ASEF commissioned research to investigate good practices connecting the arts to initiatives tackling environmental sustainability issues in a number of Asian countries. Titled Linking the Arts to Environment and Sustainable Development Issues, ...
Briefing - discussion on the Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development
The Third Intersessional Meeting of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD or Rio+20) is one of the last steps in preparation of the Rio+20 Conference. The Conference will take place in Brazil on 20-22 June 2012 to mark the 20th anniversary...
Strategies for the Earth Summit 2012
Rio+20 in 2012 will be a defining point in the international dialogue on environment and sustainable development. Taking into account various processes that will lead to ensuring the relevance of the outcomes of this conference the Asia Europe Environment...
Connect2Culture Dossier Launched at Arts Summit
Arts. Environment. Sustainability. How can Culture Make a Difference? In 2008 ASEF initiated a four year programme called Connect2Culture that investigates the evolving role of arts and culture in society. As a result of the programme, in 2011 ASEF is...
6th Asia-Europe Journalists' Seminar
There were significantly diverging notions of impact, responsibilities, and historical contexts that underpinned the climate change debate between Europe and Asia in the lead-up to the 15th Conference of the Parties (or COP 15) in Copenhagen. However,...
Towards and Beyond Rio+20: Sustainable Development Delivery at the Regional Level
The Asia-Europe Strategies for Earth Summit 2012 is an initiative of the Asia-Europe Environment Forum (ENVforum), a partnership between the Asia-Europe Foundation, the Hanns Seidel Foundation, the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, the Swedish...
Scenarios for Sustainable Development Governance: National Mechanisms that Work
The Asia-Europe Strategies for Earth Summit 2012 is an initiative of the Asia-Europe Environment Forum (ENVforum), a partnership between the Asia-Europe Foundation, the Hanns Seidel Foundation, the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, the Swedish...
9th Asia-Europe Classroom Network (AEC-NET) Conference
The 9th Asia-Europe Classroom Network (AEC-NET) Conference was organised from 12 to 16 November 2010 in Gurgaon, NCR of Delhi, in collaboration with St. Mark's Senior Secondary Public School, Meera Bagh, and supported by the Ministry of Human Resource...
This course was designed to develop its participants' understanding and competence in the areas of non-formal education, youth work, and environmental human rights in Asia and Europe. Twenty-nine participants were selected to attend the course, out...
The ENVForum 2010 Conference took a multi-sectoral approach to the sustainable management of natural resources. It incorporated green economy, biodiversity and ecosystem services, and environmental governance perspectives to investigate current paths...
The AEYULD was implemented in 2008 in Madrid, Spain, as a platform for exchanging ideas and good practices to develop new ways of managing cities. It aimed to create a sustainable bi-regional network of young leaders, mainly residing in cities of ASEM...
Dialogue On Trade And Sustainable Development
The topic of this year's dialogue was "Trade Between Asia And Europe: Conflict And Convergence.” High-profile scholars and practitioners of the international trade law based in the Brussels/Geneva area, as well as a member of the WTO Appellate Body,...
11th Asia-Europe Environment Forum (ENVForum) Steering Committee Meeting
The ENVforum Steering Committee gathered to plan ahead for the ENVforum 2010 Conference that was held in Munich, Germany (14-17 September). Members discussed possible workshops for the event, as well as shared ideas for ENVforum activities in 2011 and...
ENVforum Track II Series: Outlook From Copenhagen: Next Steps For Asia And Europe
This policy dialogue gave an overview of some of the key questions for Asia and Europe currently discussed at the COP15, also covering the issue of REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation). The ASEAN Environmental Education...
Deforestation in the tropics is believed to account for almost 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions. In Southeast Asia, Malaysia and Indonesia are among the countries with the highest rate of deforestation. Europe, on the other hand, is keen to reach...
In its second year, the Connect2Culture Environment Programme brought together cultural experts from Asia and Europe for two conferences that took place alongside the 15th Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change...
1st ASEFUAN Dialogue On Climate Change
The ASEFUAN Dialogue was attended by 70 young experts representing the 43 ASEM process members states. Participants were given the opportunity to exchange views and ideas in a series of discussions, panels, and workshops. THE ISSUE - What model of...
8th Asia-Europe Classroom Network (AEC-NET) Conference
The 8th edition of the AEC-NET Conference was held on the theme "The Impact of Climate Change and Sustainable Development Within the School Community." It brought together 77 educators from 55 schools to initiate and participate in collaborative information...
Climate change and biodiversity are interlinked. Biodiversity is threatened by irresponsible human activities and will be increasingly affected by the impact of climate change as some ecosystems and species are not able to adapt to the rising temperatures...
Public Talk: EU-ASEAN Co-operation In Eco-Tourism
With a steadily growing economic partnership, EU and ASEAN entered into negotiations for a FTA in 2007, and Eco-tourism has been identified as one of the key areas for deeper cooperation. As one of the ASEAN countries looking to developing sustainable...
8th Asia-Europe Young Volunteers Exchange: Intercultural Approaches To Environmental Sustainability
This exchange was created for active volunteers, staff, and Board members (aged 18-30) of voluntary service organisations involved in international projects. It gave participants a chance to familiarise themselves with environmental issues and share...
Connect2Culture: Art, Culture and Climate Change Follow-up Projects
In 2009, the Connect2Culture programme supported collaborative multi-disciplinary projects on art and environment between Asia and Europe which followed up on the ideas and recommendations resulting from the ASEM Dialogue on Arts, Culture and Climate...
Asia-Europe Environment Forum (ENVforum) 7th Roundtable
The Asia-Europe Environment Forum (ENVforum) 7th Roundtable aimed to facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogue from both Asia and Europe and to provide useful inputs to relevant policy processes in the domain of biodiversity and ecosystem services. It intended...
Competing Crises: An Asia-Europe Response To The Economic Crisis And Its Impact On Climate Change
The public panel aimed to propose and assess innovative responses and ideas to position Climate Change at the forefront of the global political agenda during the global recession. The idea of using the current economic crisis and the financial stimulus...
29th Asia-Europe Lecture Tour: Transition To Sustainability Through Cooperation
The Regional Environment Centre (REC) is an international organisation that assists with global environmental and sustainable living initiatives and solutions. It has gained experience by implementing more than 4,000 projects (valued at 138 million...
With the adoption of the United Nations Framework for Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC, 1992) and the Kyoto Protocol (1997), climate change has been internationally recognised as an anthropogenic (man-made) problem with significant long-term economic,...
4th Asia-Europe Editors' Roundtable
This meeting brought together27 editors and senior journalists from leading print and broadcast media to exchange perspectives on current issues relevant to both Asia and Europe. It consisted of two discussion sessions on the role and impact of Asian...
Dialogue on Arts, Culture & Climate Change
Participants at the dialogue investigated the role of culture and the arts in helping Asia and Europe deal with climate change issues. The focus was on raising awareness about climate change and sustainable living in cultural and arts communities in...
Asia-Europe Environment Forum (ENVforum) ENVforum 6th Roundtable
The Asia-Europe Environment Forum (ENVforum) 6th Roundtable was held from 18 – 19 September in Dublin, Ireland. The roundtable which addresses about 40 specially-invited participants from the countries of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) focused on the...
Steering Committee Meeting
Over the past two decades, initiatives to implement sustainable development have been undertaken all over the world. However, incorporating the environment into the larger framework of development remains a major challenge, and this incorporation is...
Asia-Europe Environment Forum (ENVforum): 5th Roundtable
The 5th instalment of the ENVforum's roundtable meeting gathered 36 participants and observers from ASEM member countries to discuss environmental management in urban environments. The forum also featured a scenario-building workshop led by moderators...
The dialogue was attended by 43 youth leaders from 23 ASEM member countries, all of whom were actively involved in local sustainable development initiatives. Participants discussed sustainable consumption and production in relation to climate change,...
ASEM Education Hub Thematic Network On Human Security: Inaugural Conference
The three-day conference revolved on the theme "Energy Security: Visions From Asia And Europe", which gathered 21 representatives from 18 universities and research institutes from 15 ASEM member countries. Participants exchanged views on the policy...
ASEF Youth Connections 2007: Young People For Development Annual Training Programme 2007
The fifth instalment of the Annual Training Programme was attended by 60 young leaders who represented local communities and youth social and non-governmental organisations in ASEM member countries, as well as ASEM government officers involved in youth-related...
The ASEF Youth Partnerships Seminar on Vocational Training Related to Restoration of the Cultural Heritage and the Environment was held in Madrid, Spain form 14th-15th June, 2007. It was organised in the framework of ASEF Youth Partnerships 2007 and Madrid...
The ASEF Youth Partnerships seminar gathered 46 experts involved in work with youth, cultural heritage, and environmental preservation from 25 ASEM member countries. The partners at the seminar expressed interest in incorporating the experience of...
Asia-Europe Environment Forum (ENVforum): Global Climate Change Policy After 2012
The Asia-Europe Environment Forum Panel, “Global Climate Change Policy after 2012 - ASEM's Contribution”, was held on 23rd April, 2007 in the European Environment Agency (EEA), Copenhagen, Denmark and was a side-event to the ASEM Environment Ministerial...
Asia-Europe Environment Forum (ENVforum): 4th Roundtable
The ENVforum's fourth roundtable meeting involved 36 specially invited participants from ASEM member countries, and marked the beginning of the second phase of development of the ENVforum, which aims to contribute to the current global policy dialogue...
Asia-Europe Environment Forum: 3rd Steering Committee Meeting
ASEF's flagship environment programme received fresh support for a second phase during its third Steering Committee Meeting. The meeting reiterated the Forum's mission to provide policy recommendations on sustainable development issues, with more direct...
“UNEP is pleased with how the forum has helped to raise awareness and progress of environmental and sustainable development work among stakeholders in Asia and Europe.†- Dr Klaus Toepfer, Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme...
ASEM Education Hub Thematic Network On Environmental Studies
This meeting was attended by department heads of Environment Studies Departments from 12 established universities in Asia and Europe. The participants expressed their commitment to establish a joint Asia-Europe Master's programme on Environmental Management,...
2nd EU-Japan-Asia Journalists Conference
The 2nd EU-Japan-Asia Journalists Conference was held in Nagoya, Japan, from 17th-20th April, 2005 and co-organised by ASEF and the Delegation of the European Commission in Japan. This conference followed the successful formula from the previous year...
EU-Japan-Asia Journalists Conference
The second EU-Japan-Asia Journalists Conference followed the successful formula of the previous year, where ASEF's involvement brought forth the expansion of the annual EU-Japan Journalists' Conference to include journalists from other parts of Asia...
Asia-Europe Environment Forum: 3rd Roundtable
“This meeting provided me with knowledge about bridging the gap between Asia and Europe with regard to experiences in the implementation of renewable energy technologies. What I observed is that there are potentials for co-operation between Asia...
The third instalment of the ASEM Youth Dialogue (AYD) focused on sustainable development, one of the priority issues for the ASEM dialogue process. The event was attended by 70 young leaders between 25 and 35 years old, who were nominated by national...
Asia-Europe Youth Explore 2004
Culture and the Environment: Management of Water Resources in China
Asia-Europe Environment Forum: 2nd Roundtable Discussion
"In my view; for there to be progress in the next round of climate change commitments, I feel that there has to be strong coalition and that coalition is missing right now. At this point in time, the negotiations are waiting for a coalition of countries...
This dialogue was co-hosted by ASEF and the United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS) to facilitate dialogue with the national delegations of ASEM on the interconnections between biotechnology, sustainable development, and trade....
1st Talks On The Hill: Cultural Tools As A Means Of Forging Human Interaction With Nature
“I am Japanese, but after having spent time with this group with people from all over Europe as well as other countries in Asia, not only do I feel like I have learnt much about Europe, but I also understand Asia better.” -- Prof. Yoshinori Yasuda,...
Asia-Europe Environment Forum: 1st Roundtable Discussion
The first roundtable discussion of the Asia-Europe Environment Forum series involved 41 participants from the academe, local authorities, research, private sector, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) representing indigenous people, women, workers,...
Asia-Europe Forestry Experts Exchange Programme (2002/2003)
Student Exchanges
Asia-Europe Forestry Experts Exchange Programme (2002/2003)
Student Exchanges
Asia-Europe Forestry Experts Exchange Programme (2001/2002)
Asia-Europe Forestry Experts Exchange Programme (2001/2002) Student Exchanges
EU For Asia Policy Forum: Next Steps For Asia And Europe
The seminar gave an update on the status of the UNFCCC negotiations with a focus on Asia-Europe co-operation and raised awareness among decision makers in Europe about the significance of partnerships between Asia and Europe in the area of climate change...
