Ministerial Forum for a New Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific Region

The Ministerial Forum for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific Region was co-chaired by the French Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Vice-President of the European Commission, and was designed as a “forum for reflection and exchange to build a common vision between the European Union, its Member States and the countries of the Indo-Pacific region, based on the principles of sustainability and openness”. It was an opportunity to develop new forms of cooperation.

Shared ambition

As the final release reports, the end of the Forum was marked by the conclusion of several major points of agreement forming a “shared ambition”, including

- joint action in favour of “peace, prosperity and sustainable and inclusive development” in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region;

- a commitment to an international order based on “democratic rules, values and principles”, as well the development of multilateralism and the rule of law, respect for international law and freedom of navigation;

- the development of the Indo-Pacific region and the strengthening of bridges between the EU and partners in the Indo-Pacific region through cooperation and solidarity;

- cooperation in three main areas: security and defence, connectivity and digital issues, global challenges such as climate change, the protection of biodiversity and oceans, and health.

The importance of education and youth

According to the organisers of the Forum, it was “an opportunity to highlight the European Union’s strategy for the region and to translate it into concrete projects at operational level”. Thus, in addition to the main principles, the important role of education and youth in the two regions was also underlined. As reported on the website dedicated to the EUFP, two major university exchange programmes were mentioned: the EU’s Erasmus+ scheme and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions.

These two student mobility initiatives, which “are the European reference programmes for strengthening human exchanges and cooperation in knowledge and skills”, should strengthen the bonds and sustainable relations between the EU and the Indo-Pacific region. As the website states, between 2014 and 2020 more than 50,000 young people have benefited from Erasmus+ mobility between the EU and Indopacific countries. Similarly, Erasmus+ cooperation projects in the field of higher education have helped to “develop capacities, skills and know-how to address global issues that are critical for the Indopacific region”.

Key research values

In the area of research and innovation, the importance of key R&I values in ensuring “equitable and reciprocal cooperation” was highlighted. Specifically, the final release shows that “the launch of a global innovation platform is under consideration, with the aim of connecting innovators around the world to find solutions to global challenges”. This platform would “foster innovation between European countries and the Indo-Pacific region”.

Two additional initiatives were highlighted:

- the PREZODE international project, which brings together research institutes and governments from both regions, to “implement the One Health approach and improve prevention, early detection and resilience to zoonotic diseases”;

- promoting research and innovation collaboration under the Horizon Europe programme “to strengthen networks and scientific excellence with the Indo-Pacific region".

The Indo-Pacific region, a priority for France

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that, during the Forum, the EU participants also “reiterated the importance of the Indo-Pacific region for Europe and underlined their support for an increased and long-term commitment by the EU and its Member States”.

For France, the ministry said, the Indo-Pacific “is increasingly becoming the strategic region of the 21st century”. With its major partners, such as India, Australia, Japan and the ASEAN, France “shares a common vision, with the objective of maintaining a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific space”. In an “international context marked by uncertainty”, France’s priority is to “propose an alternative: a stable multipolar order based on law and free movement and a fair, effective and inclusive multilateralism. The Indo-Pacific region is at the heart of this strategy”, concludes the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

To know more: 

-  The Indo-Pacific region: a priority for France

- Ministerial Forum for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific

Photo credit: ©Judith Litvine/MEAE