On 1 December 2021, the European Union unveiled the Global Gateway, outlining the EU’s global plan to support infrastructure development and mobilise investments to boost smart, clean and secure links in digital, energy and transport sectors across the world.
The Global Gateway builds on the achievements of the 2018 Europe – Asia Connectivity Strategy and further strengthens the EU and ASEAN’s long-standing inter-regional economic cooperation and commitment to a green recovery.
‘Global Gateway is Europe’s strategy to better connect the world. We will support smart, sustainable investments in quality infrastructure, in line with the EU’s values and standards’.
Ursula von der Leyen
President of the European Commission
Economic cooperation between the EU and ASEAN spans across a number of priority areas including connectivity, infrastructure, logistics, regulation, innovation, and mobility.
In the face of economic challenges and the disruptions posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 17th ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) – EU Trade Commissioner Consultations highlighted the importance of leveraging digitalisation and sustainable development to strengthen the region’s economic resilience.
The Consultation was held on 14 September 2021 and was co-chaired by H.E. Dato Dr. Amin Liew Abdullah of the
Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II of Brunei Darussalam and H.E. Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice President for an Economy that Works for People and EU Trade Commissioner.
The EU and ASEAN view the digital economy as a strategic priority. To support ASEAN’s economic digitalisation, the EU facilitated the launch of a new tool to measure the ASEAN region’s digital performance in areas such as connectivity, public services and digital skills. The ASEAN Digital Index (ADIX) will provide ASEAN Member States with the information needed to address the digital gaps in their respective countries and develop a secure, sustainable, and transformative digitally enabled economy both for themselves and the region.
