On 30 June and 1 July, the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights Malaysia (AICHR Malaysia) organized and UNDP (United Nations Development programme) supported the “AICHR Regional Workshop on Gender Lens Perspective on Business and Human Rights in ASEAN” in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This was held under the auspices of the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF). The workshop was divided into four sessions, discussing the importance of incorporating a gender perspective in the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles (UNGPs) on Business and Human Rights and the necessity of introducing such a perspective in business settings.

Ambassador KIYA of the Mission of Japan to ASEAN sent a video message to the workshop as well as President of International Civil and Commercial Law Center Foundation (ICCLC), Chief Operating Officer Retail from Aeon Co.(M) BHD. and Manager on Legal Policy from the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)  also attended the workshop in person as panelists and special speakers, and they actively contributed to the discussion on behalf of Japan and international organizations.

Watch Ambassador KIYA’s Video Message here.

ASEAN countries play a vital role in global mangrove conservation, as the region holds approximately 34–42% of the world’s mangrove forests. To strengthen regional collaboration, the ASEAN Mangrove Network (AMNET), established in 2014 and supported by the Government of Japan, promotes cross-border efforts to sustainably manage mangrove ecosystems. These efforts contribute to climate change mitigation and support the livelihoods of coastal communities.

Since 2023, the “Mangrove Ecosystem Management in ASEAN Region” project has been funded by the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF). The project has delivered key outcomes including the development of integrated information systems, pilot sites in Indonesia, and 17 regional guidelines for sustainable mangrove management. It also promotes data-driven practices, regional strategies, and local community empowerment.

At the project’s closing workshop on 25 June 2025 in Surabaya, officials from Indonesia and Japan emphasized the importance of local community involvement for inclusive and lasting mangrove management. Japan also shared its experience in eco-friendly practices such as Silvofishery, fostering mutual learning under the ASEAN-Japan Midori Cooperation Plan. Stakeholders expressed hope for continued regional collaboration to support environmental and economic resilience across the region.

In just two months, the ASEAN Pavilion at the World Expo 2025 Osaka has welcomed over 149,000 happy visitors to the International Organisation Pavilion!

The visitor’s enthusiasm for learning deeper about Southeast Asia’s culture and innovation has made this journey truly special. Thank you for coming to the ASEAN Pavilion.

Learn more about the upcoming activities at the ASEAN Pavilion at World Expo 2025: asean.org/expo-2025-osaka

The ASEAN Pavilion at the World Expo 2025 Osaka is supported by the Government of Japan through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF).

On 20 June, Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, MATSUMOTO Hisashi, received a courtesy call from a delegation of the ASEAN Secretariat officials, under the ASEAN Human Educational Development Scholarship Partners Program “AHEAD50”. A summary of the courtesy call is as follows. This program was launched on the occasion of the 50th year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.

1. Parliamentary Vice-Minister Matsumoto stated that peace and prosperity of ASEAN, which is the “keystone” of the Indo-Pacific, are important for the region and the international community as a whole, and Japan has been closely cooperating with ASEAN in a wide-range of fields, as a true friend of ‘‘heart-to-heart’’ connections.
2. Parliamentary Vice-Minister Matsumoto also stated that Japan and ASEAN are facing various common challenges such as disaster prevention, climate change, and strengthening supply chains, and that Japan intends to work together with ASEAN to address these challenges and build a new future for Asia. And he expressed his hope that through “AHEAD 50,” a network of “heart-to-heart” connections between ASEAN and Japan will be formed and to develop together as true friends over the next 30 years, 50 years,100 years ahead.
3. The delegation expressed their gratitude for Japan’s long-standing support for the ASEAN’s development and shared their experiences and impressions of Japan.

ASEAN Human Educational Development Scholarship Partners “AHEAD50” (herein after referred as AHEAD50) Phase 1 is supported by the Government of Japan through Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF).

The ASEAN Sparks: Ignite programme has successfully concluded its inaugural phase, held from 11 to 13 June 2025. Supported by the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) and implemented by the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and strategic partnership with Innovation Factory and BLOCK71 Indonesia, the programme aims to accelerate early-stage clean energy startups contributing to ASEAN’s energy transition and climate action goals.

Over the three-day online boot camp, 40 promising startups from eight ASEAN Member States — Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, and Myanmar — participated in intensive workshops, mentoring sessions, and expert consultations designed to refine their business models and energy solutions. Notably, the cohort featured a strong gender balance, with 54% of the startups having female co-founding teams and 46% male, reflecting the region’s growing diversity and inclusivity in energy innovation leadership.

The programme opened with welcoming remarks from the Energy Commission of Malaysia, Norazrin Rupadi and First Secretary of the Japan Mission to ASEAN, SAITO Mizuki, the Chair and Co-Chair of the Project Steering Committee.