GIZ Indonesia & ASEAN

29/07/2025

🤝 Indonesia and Germany joined hands to push forward peer-learning at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum

🗽 On the 14-23 July 2025, the annual United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) was held in New York as a platform to assess the SDGs’ progress, exchange best practices, and enhance international cooperation.

📈 As part of Indonesia’s strong and sustained commitment to the SDGs, the Indonesian Vice Minister of National Development Planning presented the fourth Indonesian VNR, outlining Indonesia’s progress toward the SDGs, key challenges faced, as well as innovative policies and successful practices; the GIZ-supported SDGs-SSTC II project was among the initiatives highlighted in the report.

🎤 Indonesia and Germany also co-hosted a special session, which highlighted key insights and lessons learned from the joint peer-learning process, supported by the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

✨ Through their active engagement in the 2025 HLPF, Indonesia and Germany reaffirmed their dedication to accelerating SDG achievement through innovation, partnerships, and inclusive development for the benefit of all.

25/07/2025

🎉Celebrating 20 Years of EnDev – Highlighting Indonesia’s Innovation in Clean Mobility

This year marks two decades of impact, innovation, and inclusive energy access across the globe. As part of this celebration, we’re proud to share one of the inspiring stories from Indonesia: How a Solar-Powered Boat is Making Waves in the Renewable Energy Transition.

On the Rote island, East Nusa Tenggara Indonesia, a once quiet innovation is now transforming eco-tourism. Imagine gliding through the serene Lagoon of Paradise (Telaga Nirwana) with no engine noise — just clean energy and pristine views. Thanks to the solar-powered REBoat, powered by a local mini-grid and shared also managed by Village-Owned Enterprise (BUMDES) and boat owners in Oeseli Village, marine tourism has become quieter, greener, and more sustainable.

Built on lessons learned from earlier pilots, this project showcases:
🔋 Smart use of excess solar mini-grid power,
🌱 Ecotourism can thrive with zero emissions,
🤝 Community-driven innovation.

More than just a boat, it’s a symbol of how integrated solutions can boost local economies and protect the environment — and it’s only just the beginning. Grateful to have supported the story development and photo contributions for this initiative under the EnDev 20-Year Anniversary celebration. Congratulations to everyone involved!



👉 Read the full story here:

Solar-powered eBoats on Rote Island, Indonesia, show how EnDev’s mini-grid innovation boosts eco-tourism, cuts fuel use and drives greener local growth.

24/07/2025

📢 ASEAN SMEs: Bridging the Digital Divide
🌐 Public-Private Policy Dialogue
💻 Hybrid event | 30 July 2025, 13:30 - 16:45

What does the AI age mean for SMEs in ASEAN?

Join us for a dynamic policy dialogue featuring expert speakers from the region, as we delve into ASEAN's commitments to enhance the resilience and competitiveness of SMEs.

💡How can inclusive digital strategies help SMEs embrace new technologies and expand to new markets?
💡What digital skills and resources do SMEs need to be better prepared in a shifting policy environment?

Drawing on extensive experience in the public and private sectors, our panellists will share their perspectives on the opportunities and challenges for SMEs in the face of AI.

🔗Register now:https://tinyurl.com/ASEANSMEs

The event is jointly organised by the ASEAN Access Network, the ASEAN Secretariat and Germany, through the GIZ ASEAN SME II project.

23/07/2025

🗨️ The next part of the series of panel discussion on financial literacy is coming very soon! 🥳

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming event, co-hosted by the for Indonesian Policy Studies and the ASEAN-German Project on Consumer Protection in ASEAN II (PROTECT II), to discuss and .

The panel discussion will be held on:

📅 Friday, 25 July 2025
⌚ 14.00 - 17.00 WIB
📍 Jakarta Future Hub

Speakers:
Rio Prambodo, Yayasan Lembaga Konsumen Indonesia (YLKI)
Asri Wulandari, DANA Indonesia
Muhammad Nidhal, Center for Indonesian Policy Studies

Due to increased access to and other credit systems, consumers nowadays are able to buy goods or services easier. However, this can sometimes result in impulsive buying and in some cases lead to financial debt, especially due to low financial literacy. in the UI/UX design of online platforms, that can deceive or manipulate users to take certain actions, can also exacerbate this issue.

Join us to discuss the importance of digital and financial literacy, strategies to mitigate the risks of dark patterns, and learn more about the app. Register through the link on the poster below! ⬇️

18/07/2025

ASEAN and Germany Advance Waste Management in Sustainable Tourism

As part of the broader ASEAN Germany cooperation, the 3rd Project Steering Committee (PSC) Meeting of the ASEAN Municipal Solid Waste Management Enhancement (AMUSE) project reaffirmed the joint commitment to advancing ASEAN's regional priorities in sustainable waste management and the circular economy.

The meeting on 16 July 2025 was held back-to-back with the 23rd Meeting of the ASEAN Working Group on Environmentally Sustainable Cities (AWGESC) in Jakarta, Indonesia. Representatives from all 10 ASEAN Member States, the ASEAN Secretariat, the German Embassy, and GIZ came together to review AMUSE's implementation at both regional and national levels, endorse upcoming activities for 2025, and discuss the project's exit strategy to sustain results and promote ownership.

Key discussions focused on the development and future hosting of the ASEAN Knowledge Platform, the finalisation of two regional knowledge products on food waste and private sector engagement, and national-level progress across four pilot countries. The upcoming joint successor project, 3RproMar II, will continue ASEAN-Germany cooperation on circular economy and marine litter prevention starting in 2026.

This marks a significant step forward in transitioning from AMUSE’s successful implementation to long-term impact, strengthened regional ownership, and continued collaboration across ASEAN.

17/07/2025

📣 We are excited to announce that our comprehensive report, “𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘄 – 𝗔 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆” was officially launched at the 32nd ASEAN Sectoral Working Group on Crops (ASWGC) Meeting, 9 - 11 July 2025, South Tangerang, Indonesia.

🌾Burning of rice straw and stubble after the harvest is still a major challenge for the ASEAN region, affecting regional air quality and contributing to global warming through N2O, CH4 and black carbon emissions. But rice straw is a valuable resource that can be used for many income-generating purposes such as energy production, creating paper products or production of biofertiliser.

💡 This feasibility study assesses methods to reduce the burning of rice straw, including innovative collection, processing, and recycling methods that benefit farmers, the environment, and economies, and is intended to contribute to regional policy efforts to reduce agricultural burning.

♻ Five recommendations are introduced for applications in ASEAN: Mechanise and optimise the collection of rice straw; Pilot post-harvest models, especially storage, densification, and transport; Initiate new and stimulate existing markets for rice straw products; Raise awareness of sustainable rice straw management and support training and capacity building; and facilitation of a multi-stakeholder platform for change.

📝 Full report can be accessed here: https://asean-agrifood.org/piloting-sustainable-use-cases-of-rice-straw-a-feasibility-study/

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘪𝘭𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘜𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘙𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘸 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 (𝘚𝘍𝘍 𝘙𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘸) 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵, commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is implemented by GIZ with political support from the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC). The study is developed in cooperation with the 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘪-𝘎𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘊𝘰𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘌𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘺, 𝘔𝘰𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦 (𝘛𝘎𝘊 𝘌𝘔𝘊) 𝘉𝘪𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘴𝘴 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘵 project.

16/07/2025

MOU Partnership on Promoting Sustainable Palm Oil Supply Chains between Private Sector and Smallholders Signed

PT Bimapalma Nugraha (PT DSN Group) and two smallholder cooperatives, Tepian Mandiri Sejahtera in Rantau Pulung and Tepian Jaya Lestari in Bengalon, formalized their partnership through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) promoting existing business processes to ensure sustainability in the palm oil supply chain on 15 July 2025 at Royal Victoria Hotel, Sanggatta, East Kutai.

The partnership between the processing mills (PKS) and the smallholder cooperatives lays out the foundation to ensure off takers of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) can process them and produce crude palm oil (CPO) efficiently. This MoU is also a milestone of mutually beneficial cooperation where cooperatives will get facilitation from PT BPN such as mentoring, management improvement and other services, while PT BPN gets quality FFB. Establishing the partnership in March 2025, Tepian Mandiri Sejahtera and Tepian Jaya Lestari started businesses to arrange the delivery of FFB from their cooperative members to the processing mills as an initial cooperation.

Attended by East Kutai Regent Ardiansyah Sulaiman and representatives from the sub-district and village governments, plantation companies, and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, participants witnessed the formalization of the important partnership in the palm oil supply chain alongside stakeholders with the support of government and development partners.

The ceremony was preceded by a forum group discussion (FGD) on the development of a certified smallholder association on 14 July attended by representatives from smallholder cooperatives, the East Kutai Plantation office, and the East Kutai Cooperative office, and GIZ.

The FGD showed stakeholders how necessary it is to support smallholder farmers and mills as part of sustainable production and supply chains from smallholders’ legal entity to building a mutual partnership with the market. They also learned about the importance of collaborating with smallholders on taking care of their stability regarding FFB supplies.

SECO Economic Cooperation and Development

16/07/2025

🌾 Strengthening Sustainable Agriculture in ASEAN

🤝 Last week, the 1st Project Steering Committee (PSC) Meeting of ASEAN AgriTrade II in South Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia, brought together key stakeholders to advance regional cooperation for more sustainable, high-quality agricultural value chains.

🎯 What’s the goal?
To support ASEAN Member States in harmonising national reforms with regional frameworks—ensuring sustainability, quality, and climate-resilient agriculture that benefits both producers and consumers.

🥗 Building on the success of the previous phase, Germany (BMZ) through the ASEAN AgriTrade II, aims to improve quality and environmental standards, addressing climate challenges in agricultural trade, and strengthen private sector involvement across the region. The activities align with the post-2025 ASEAN’s Food, Agriculture and Forestry (FAF) Vision Towards 2045 and will support the new Sectoral Plan on Agricultural Crops 2026-2030. The project is part of the GIZ ASEAN Cooperation area under the Sustainable Economic Development topic.

We thank Mr Hotman Fajar Simanjuntak from the Directorate General of Horticulture, Ministry of Agriculture, Indonesia, for his remarks and commitment as ASEAN Sectoral Working Groups in Crops (ASWGC) Focal Point. The meeting also reaffirmed the importance of engaging both public and private sectors to meet regional and global market standards—while addressing climate and sustainability challenges. The outcomes of the discussions will be reported to the 32nd ASWGC meeting this year.

Let’s continue to collaborate for a more inclusive and future-ready ASEAN agri-food system.

💡 More information: https://www.giz.de/en/worldwide/153063.html

Photo: Ministry of Agriculture/Directorate General of Horticulture.

15/07/2025

🗨️ During the last two months, the ASEAN-German Project on Consumer Protection in ASEAN II (PROTECT II), together with the regional and national partners, co-organised a number of important programmes to strengthen ASEAN structures.

💡 From the Project Steering Committee meeting, the Cambodia's Young Consumer Champion Programme, Policy Dialogue, Business Talks, the Establishment of the First Consumer Association in Laos -- the latest issue of Newsletter presents you with the updates from our project as well as resources and news on emerging consumer protection topics across ASEAN.

Whether you are a consumer protection professional, a owner or representative, or a 🛍️ you will find relevant information tailored to your interests.

Find out more below! ⬇️

PROTECT II is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

14/07/2025

🪩 Let’s take a moment to look back…

☁️ Addressing climate change across ASEAN requires more than ambition—it requires leadership, collaboration, and a sustained commitment to action across all sectors.

🌎 Over the past six months, the ASEAN Climate Leadership Programme (ACLP) III brought together 24 emerging climate leaders from government, civil society, research institutions, and the private sector across the region.

🟢 Together, they built the skills and confidence to shape and influence climate policy—anchored in inclusivity, science, and regional cooperation.

💡 What did they learn? What challenged and inspired them?

🔗 Watch the video and hear directly from the participants themselves—in their own words.

https://youtu.be/0HndceSuPLs?si=63af3Dl8DSodPeLE

On 25 June 2025, ACLP III concluded in Bangkok with a heartfelt closing and graduation ceremony—but their leadership journey will continue.

🟢 Read more here: https://aseanclimateleadership.org/2025/07/11/from-learning-to-leading-asean-conclude-third-climate-leadership-programme/

02/07/2025

🔔 On 25 June 2025, we proudly celebrated the graduation of 24 participants from the ASEAN Climate Leadership Programme (ACLP) III, held in Bangkok, Thailand.

🌎 This diverse batch brought together professionals from eight ASEAN Member States, representing government institutions, research organisations, civil society, and the private sector. Their collective expertise spanned agriculture, forestry, rural development, and climate policy, united by a shared commitment to advancing climate action across Southeast Asia.

🌾 Spanning six months (January–July 2025), ACLP III was designed as an immersive and transformative leadership journey focused on promoting Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) to support the achievement of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). It combined online learning modules with in-person engagements, creating a hybrid platform for both technical learning and peer exchange.

🟢 During the final module and graduation ceremony, participants presented their Personal Change Projects (PCPs) that serve as both a capstone to their learning and a springboard for real-world impact, addressing four critical themes:

☀️ Climate and Nutrition
🥗 Food Systems
🔵 Inclusive & Gender-Responsive Policy Development
☁️ Emission Reduction

We were honoured to have distinguished guests and speakers join us to offer closing remarks and hand over the graduation certificates:

Dr Mercedita A. Sombilla, Center Director of SEAMEO SEARCA (online)
Ms Teeraporn Wongchokprasit, Director, International Agricultural Affairs Group, Dept. of Agriculture, Thailand
Dr Johannes Kerner, Counsellor for Economic Affairs, German Embassy Bangkok
Mr Florian Miß, Commission Manager, AgriTrade II, GIZ
Mr Roland Treitler, ASEAN–EU Climate Action Programme, GIZ Indonesia & ASEAN

🧳 Congratulations to all graduates and thank you to everyone who made this journey possible!

🔗 For more information, please visit: www.aseanclimateleadership.org.

🤝 The ACLP III is jointly organised by the ASEAN-EU-German Climate Action Programme (CAP) and ASEAN AgriTrade II, with funding from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
co-financed by the European Union (EU) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

The programme is carried out in close coordination with the The ASEAN Secretariat, particularly the Food, Agriculture, and Forestry Division (FAFD) and the Environment Division (ED). Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) provides technical and knowledge management support, while the Leadership Academy Amsterdam facilitates the leadership modules throughout the programme.

GIZ Thailand Sustainable Agrifood System in ASEAN

01/07/2025

🔙 From 16 to 20 June 2025, the ASEAN Committee on Consumer Protection ( ) held its thirtieth meeting in South Tangerang City, Indonesia. The Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting for the ASEAN-German Project on Consumer Protection in ASEAN II (PROTECT II), the second validation workshop on the development of the ASEAN Strategic Action Plan on Consumer Protection (ASAPCP) 2026 - 2030, and other key meetings were held back-to-back with the ACCP meeting.

🤝 Hosted by Ministry of Trade Republic of Indonesia and facilitated support by GIZ Indonesia & ASEAN on behalf of Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Office for Product Safety and Standards United Kingdom, and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the series of meeting aimed to review progress on ASAPCP 2025 deliverables and to discuss the upcoming 5-year action plan to empower in ASEAN.

⬇️ See below for the key takeaways, and visit https://aseanconsumer.org/ to learn more about consumer protection in ASEAN!