The strengthening of relations between Italy and the countries of Asia and Oceania takes place within a perspective strongly oriented toward multilateralism. The regional organizations of Asia and the Pacific play a strategic role in promoting an international order based on dialogue and cooperation—essential elements for fostering peaceful solutions to the recurring crises that affect sensitive areas of the international landscape.
Multilateralism is the central tool for addressing global challenges: from the fight against international terrorism to dialogue between cultures and religions, as well as the protection of the environment and the fight against climate change.
Within this framework, Italy strongly supports the strengthening of cooperation with the regional organizations of Asia and the Pacific.
Italy and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)
ASEAN, established on August 8, 1967 (Bangkok Declaration), now comprises eleven states (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and East Timor), which together constitute the fifth largest global economy (with an average annual GDP growth rate of 5%) and comprise 8.8% of the world’s population (approximately 680 million inhabitants).
ASEAN’s main objective is to promote cooperation to foster prosperity and stability in the region. The presidency is held on a rotating basis by the various member states on an annual basis; Jakarta hosts the Secretariat.
Italy became an ASEAN Development Partner on September 9, 2020. The partnership covers four areas:
Political-security: strategic dialogue, strengthening governance and regional resilience.
Economic: support for economic integration, promotion of investment and SMEs.
Connectivity: strengthening energy and digital infrastructure, regulatory harmonization, trade facilitation, customs cooperation.
Socio-cultural: social inclusion, education, culture, public health, and reducing the development gap.
The Practical Cooperation Areas (PCA) is the policy document setting out the lines of action (61 in total) for the period 2022-2026. Within the framework of the partnership, numerous capacity-building activities have been carried out or planned for ASEAN countries in a variety of areas: combating terrorism and drug trafficking, combating transnational organized crime, illicit trafficking and money laundering, anti-corruption, training of magistrates, cybercrime, protection of cultural and environmental heritage, sustainable coastal management, blue economy, anti-piracy and maritime law, promotion of youth exchanges, women mediators, space cooperation, food security, and civil protection.
Italy and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM)
Suspended after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, ASEM has been an important framework for dialogue between Europe and Asia and is the multilateral forum of reference for Euro-Asian relations as a whole. Founded in 1996, it has a multidimensional approach that balances political, economic, social, and cultural dimensions, and is based on the principle of equality among member countries.
It comprises 30 European and 21 Asian countries, in addition to the EU and the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC).
The last ASEM Summit (ASEM13) was held virtually on November 25-26, 2021, under the chairmanship of the Kingdom of Cambodia, on the theme “Strengthening Multilateralism for Shared Growth.”
Italy actively participates in the processes and initiatives promoted within the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), contributing to the strengthening of political dialogue, economic cooperation, and cultural collaboration between the two continents, for the promotion of peace, stability, and sustainable development.
Italy is an active partner of the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), an intergovernmental organization based in Singapore, which is the only permanent institution of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) process. ASEF plays an essential role as a responsive platform for cultural and people-to-people cooperation, a fundamental pillar of Asia-Europe interregional dialogue. The organization promotes mutual understanding and cooperation between the two continents through activities in the fields of culture, education, science, health, governance, and sustainable development. Following its invasion of Ukraine, Russia was suspended from the Board of Governors.
Our country actively collaborates with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP) through its support for the Trust Fund for Tsunami, Disaster and Climate Resilience to strengthen resilience to natural disasters in the Asia-Pacific region. This commitment highlights how Italy supports, through ESCAP, the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and multilateral cooperation in Asia and the Pacific.
Italy and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)
Since November 2019, Italy has been participating as a Dialogue Partner in order to support policies aimed at promoting the blue economy. IORA is an intergovernmental organization established on March 7, 1997, comprising 23 member states bordering the Indian Ocean. The Association’s objectives include promoting regional maritime security, strengthening cooperation to address cross-border challenges, and ensuring freedom of navigation in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
In addition, the Working Group for Maritime Safety and Security (WGMSS) brings together maritime officials and experts from all IORA member states to promote regional cooperation in four thematic areas: search and rescue, maritime partnership, maritime crime, and information sharing.