ASEAN, the Government of Japan, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reaffirmed their commitment to advancing a resilient and sustainable blue economy in the ASEAN region and Timor-Leste during the “Exploring Innovative Financing Solutions for Blue Ecosystem Restoration Projects” innovation workshop at the ASEAN Pavilion at Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai, Japan.

At the Expo, a workshop and series of discussions were convened under the ASEAN Blue Carbon and Finance Profiling (ABCF) initiative, funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by UNDP Indonesia with the ASEAN Coordinating Task Force on Blue Economy (ACTF-BE). The initiative supports ASEAN Member States and Timor-Leste in unlocking the economic, environmental, and social value of blue carbon while aligning with the region’s net-zero goals by 2050.

The event brought together more than 60 academics and professionals from Japan and various countries to explore innovative financing strategies aimed at accelerating the restoration of Southeast Asia’s critical blue ecosystems.

Building on the momentum from Osaka and Kobe, ASEAN, Japan, and UNDP will continue to strengthen regional cooperation to restore critical ecosystems and foster sustainable livelihoods. This joint effort advances the shared vision of a resilient and prosperous future for Southeast Asia, where protecting nature goes hand in hand with improving people’s well-being and economic opportunities.

Utilization of Expo 2025 Osaka to Enhance ASEAN Awareness as a Single Tourist Destination is supported by the Government of Japan through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF).