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• October 27, 2024 , 4:16 PM

Today, the Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to ASEAN, H.E. Sujiro Seam, officially kicked-off the EU-ASEAN Green Diplomacy Weeks 2024 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The launch featured the 2nd edition of dynamic 5 KM fun walk and run titled “EU-ASEAN Green Transition for Sustainable Planet and More Positive Impact” (GET UP and MOVE). Around 500 participants took part, including representatives from ASEAN, the EU and its Member States, youth and individuals with special needs. The event took place along Jalan Sudirman, leading to Gelora Bung Karno, Senayan, Jakarta. 

"The European Union is committed to supporting our partners in their respective green transitions, including ASEAN Member States,” said the EU Ambassador to ASEAN, H.E. Sujiro Seam. “This event shows our commitment to continue working together with ASEAN towards a greener, sustainable and inclusive future. It is an opportunity to encourage and motivate individuals, communities and organizations to take stronger actions – to protect, preserve and restore our environment, for now and for future generations,” he added.

Medal Presentation with the Ambassador of the European Union to ASEAN, H.E. Sujiro Seam, and participants.

The EU Green Diplomacy Week is one of the EU’s global campaigns to promote cooperation on climate change and inspire meaningful action. This annual event has evolved into a significant occasion where the EU and its Member States host a series of events worldwide, fostering dialogue and collaboration on climate issues.  These events serve as a platform to showcase successful sustainability initiatives and motivate further green actions. 

“Over the years, ASEAN has demonstrated commitment to addressing climate change, including through multisectoral dialogue and relevant activities involving key partners across various sectors”, said Jihan Abdul Rahman, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Brunei Darussalam to ASEAN, as Country Coordinator for ASEAN-EU Dialogue Relations. She highlighted the establishment of the ASEAN Centre for Climate Change to facilitate regional climate change coordination and cooperation across Southeast Asia, and added that “by emphasizing climate action, such as sustainable transport, eliminating pollution, and ensuring a just transition for all, ASEAN, in collaboration with our valuable partners including the EU, can build a more resilient region better prepared to withstand the impacts of climate change.” 

This year, the fun walk and run event in Jakarta marked the start of the first region wide activities for the EU-ASEAN Green Diplomacy Weeks 2024. EU Delegations in

Southeast Asia is also hosting a series of events in ASEAN Member States to promote and inspire climate actions in the region.

Starting Line with all participants and the Ambassador of the European Union to ASEAN, H.E. Sujiro Seam.

The fun walk and running is followed by an open public gathering featuring EU-ASEAN projects, EU Member States, and a series of mini talk shows. The mini talk shows highlighted important topics in ASEAN’s green transition, such as the circular economy, biodiversity, sustainable landscapes, and the impact of climate change on women among others. These discussions showcased the insights of key ASEAN youth in each of these areas.  

Yulia Ratnasari, Founder of Karbon Biru, a youth-based initiative to carbon sequestering and protection of coastal society and biodiversity said: “ASEAN is home to a rich biodiversity and long coastal lines. As youth, it is up to us to ensure our development is inclusive and does not threaten our coastal society and biodiversity.” Ratnasari is an alumna and awardee of the EU’s flagship programme, Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s degree on Circular Economy and Industrial Ecology, and a finalist of the EU Youth Sustainable Project Competition 2023.

Group Photo of all participants of the EU-ASEAN GET UP and MOVE Fun Run and Walk Event

About the European Union (EU) 

The European Union (EU) is the economic and political union of 27 Member States with a population of 447 million. Together, the EU has built a zone of stability, democracy and sustainable development while maintaining cultural diversity, tolerance and individual freedom. In 2012, the EU was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for advancing the goals of peace, reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe. The EU is the world's largest trading bloc, and the world's largest source and destination of foreign direct investment. Collectively, the EU and its Member States are the largest donors of Official Development Assistance (ODA), providing more than half of ODA globally. The 27 Member States of the EU (in protocol order) are: Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden.

Find out more on: 

http://eeas.europa.eu/asean 

Microsite: https://euinasean.eu 

EU in ASEAN Social Media Channels: 

Twitter: @EUinASEAN 

Facebook: @EUinASEAN 

Instagram: @EUinASEAN 

Youtube: @EUinASEAN 

About ASEAN

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established on 8 August 1967 and constitutes ten Member States: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam. On 31 December 2015, the ASEAN Community was formally established. The ASEAN Secretariat is based in Jakarta, Indonesia.  

Find out more on: 

https://asean.org 

ASEAN Social Media Channels: 

Twitter: @ASEAN 

Facebook: @aseansecretariat 

Instagram: @ASEAN 

LinkedIn: The ASEAN Secretariat