Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today met with representatives of the EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC) on the sidelines of the 58th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting (AEM) and related meetings in Manila, the Philippines. They exchanged views on strengthening ASEAN–EU economic cooperation and focused on mobilising greater European investment into ASEAN’s emerging growth areas, including digital transformation and sustainability; supporting the implementation and business utilisation of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA); as well as on identifying practical areas of cooperation ahead of the 50th anniversary of ASEAN–EU relations in 2027. Dr. Kao also encouraged EU-ABC to work closely with ASEAN-BAC under Singapore’s 2027 Chairmanship in supporting ASEAN’s economic integration priorities.