The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia or ERIA is an international organization established in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2008 by a formal agreement among Leaders of 16 countries in the East Asian region to conduct research activities and make policy recommendations for further economic integration in the East Asia. ERIA works very closely with both the ASEAN Secretariat and 16 Research Institutes to undertake and disseminate policy research under the three pillars, namely “Deepening Economic Integration”, ”Narrowing Development Gaps”, and “Sustainable Development” and provide analytical policy recommendations to Leaders and Ministers at their regional meetings. ERIA provides intellectual contributions to East Asian Community building and serves as a Sherpa international organization. ERIA Ranks 9th among the world's "Top International Economics Think Tanks" according to the 2020 Global Go To Think Tanks Index Report conducted by the University of Pennsylvania.

Establishment

ERIA was established by a formal agreement among Leaders of 16 countries in the East Asian at the 3rd East Asia Summit in Singapore on 21 November 2007. The inaugural ERIA Governor Board meeting was held at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 3 June 2008. A formal agreement was reached between Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the ASEAN Secretariat to recognize ERIA as an international organization on 30 December 2008. As for the preparation for the establishment of ERIA, IDE-JETRO has been appointed to undertake a role as the temporary secretariat of ERIA at ERIA Expert Meeting in manila, March 2007 towards its official establishment.

History

The inaugural meeting of the ERIA was held on 3 June 2008 in Indonesia. In 2009 it was said that ERIA was working on a master plan for Asia. The plan aims to maximize industrialization through the development of much needed infrastructure.

Establishment of ERIA approved

The formal establishment of ERIA was agreed upon by all the leaders at the 3rd East Asia Summit on November 21, 2007, in Singapore. Excerpt from Chairman's Statement of the 3rd East Asia Summit (Paragraph 13) We agreed to the establishment of the Economic Research Institute of ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) to be accommodated temporarily at the ASEAN Secretariat. We welcomed the report submitted to us by the Expert Group, which focuses on research topics of strategic interest to the EAS countries. We encouraged the Expert Group to continue its research work and we looked forward to practical policy recommendations to further regional integration and strengthen partnerships in East Asia.

Inauguration of ERIA

The inauguration was held at the ASEAN Secretariat on June 3, 2008, in Indonesia. Attendees included board members nominated from 16 countries in East Asia. ERIA launched as a full-fledged research activity body.

Endorsement of ERIA as an international organization

Following the agreement at the 3rd EAS meeting, formal agreement to endorse the status of ERIA as an International Organization was concluded on December 30, 2008, between the Indonesian Government and ASEAN Secretariat. Basis for Privileges and Immunities including Tax Exemption finalized.

Financial contribution to ERIA

There have been announcements of contributions to ERIA from the following countries in addition to Japan.

Organization

Governing board members

The governing board is the supreme decision-making body of ERIA. The governing board consists of 17 members, which includes the secretary general of ASEAN and 16 other members (each representing a member country) from various backgrounds such as academics, policy making and business.

Research Institute Network RIN from 16 countries

The Research Institutes Network consists of research institutes from 16 East Asia Summit countries. MOU was signed between Research Institute Network, on February 24, 2009, in Thailand. RIN recognized the extensive efforts for carrying out a series of ERIA’s research project.

Academic advisory members

Academic Advisory Council is composed of a number of internationally renowned East Asia Summit countries’ scholars and experts from universities, research institutions, the private sector, international organizations and non-governmental organizations. The council provides advice and support to the Office of the Executive Director on;

ERIA Outreach

Publications

Capacity Building

Seminar and Symposia

Providing Policy Recommendations

One of the most important ERIA's works is providing policy recommendations to leaders, ministers in ASEAN and EAS through East Asia Summit and ASEAN Summit, and another related meetings. As ERIA's mission expands by receiving instructions and task-outs from Summits and Ministerial Meetings, ERIA's role as the "Center of Excellence" in ASEAN and East Asia becomes increasingly important.

Comprehensive Economic Partnership in East-Asia

The ERIA is tasked with reviewing the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership for East Asia or CEPEA, the Japanese proposed trade bloc involving the 16 nations of the East Asia Summit. It was decided at the Third East Asia Summit that the ERIA report on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership in East-Asia would be received at the Fourth East Asia Summit. The Fourth EAS was delayed for almost a year by reason of difficulties in the host nation Thailand. With the subsequent change of government in Japan, and the discussion by the new administration of the East Asia Community the future of CEPEA is not yet clear. Subsequently, the Fourth East Asia Summit supported further development on trading groupings based around the 13 country ASEAN Plus Three and the 16 country East Asia Summit. At the subsequent APEC conference Australia announced a million Australian dollars in funding to ERIA to support research into the 16 country bloc.

Major works

ERIA's works are divided into 3 fields, doing research works, disseminating its works, and providing policy recommendations.

Research works

Deepening economic integration

Narrowing Development Gaps

Sustainable Economic Development