The E.U. and ASEAN launched the “Green Team Europe Initiative (TEI)” during the virtually held 3rd ASEAN-EU Dialogue on Sustainable Development
Th European Union (E.U.) today, i.e., Thursday, November 18, 2021, launched the “Green Team Europe Initiative (TEI)” in partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The announcement was made by the Commissioner for International Partnerships, E.U. – Jutta Urpilainen, during the virtually held 3rd ASEAN-EU Dialogue on Sustainable Development. The E.U. will infuse an initial funding of € 30 million.
The funds will be allocated from the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) – Global Europe to cover programmes and projects to support the implementation of the Team Europe Initiative, which will be defined in the coming months.
The E.U. and ASEAN have a common goal to promote stability and sustainable connectivity in the region, manage natural capital sustainably, tackle climate change issues, address environmental challenges and respond to increasing energy demand.
The TEI offers a framework for a Green Initiative in South East Asia, seeking synergies between the European Green Deal and the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, promoting the joint commitment to a lasting and sustainable transformation towards environmentally sustainable economies and resilient ecosystems.
Speaking on the occasion, Urpilainen said, “As strategic partners, the EU and ASEAN share a joint commitment to fostering a fairer, greener, and more sustainable future. Building back better is about supporting our economies and creating decent employment opportunities while also addressing climate change, tackling pollution, and protecting biodiversity. It requires rethinking our approach to development in the context of a rapidly warming and increasingly interconnected planet. Our Green Team Europe Initiative is a ground-breaking step going forward and I am very pleased to take this step with our partners in South-East Asia.”
Taking it to twitter, Urpulainen tweeted,
🌏 In today’s @ASEAN-🇪🇺 Dialogue on Sustainable Development, I reaffirmed our joint commitment to foster a more sustainable future by launching 🌱Green #TeamEurope Initiative. It’s backed by a €30M grant and will benefit partners in South East Asia.
— Jutta Urpilainen (@JuttaUrpilainen) November 18, 2021
👉https://t.co/1ItlSZ2iZ8 pic.twitter.com/wmogFaO8tU
The initiative provides the framework for coordinated green action between Austria, Denmark, France, Germany and Romania, European Investment Bank and ASEAN Members. The Initiative will be implemented both at national and regional levels in the ASEAN region.
Earlier in December 2020, the E.U. and ASEAN extended their collaboration to a Strategic Partnership. South-East Asia (SEA) is among the most vulnerable regions in the world to the adversities of climate change. Around 5 of the 20 countries in SEA are severely affected by climate change.
The E.U. has said it will utilise the external action toolbox for this initiative which includes policy dialogue, technical assistance, diplomacy, blending and investment and sharing of knowledge and expertise.
