Members of the Youth Sounding Board for the European Union in ASEAN (YSBEA) convened in Manila, Philippines, yesterday (5 May 2026) to provide their views and policy recommendations for the future of ASEAN-EU relations ahead of its golden 50th anniversary in 2027.

In an event titled “Final Session of the Youth Sounding Board for the European Union in ASEAN: Youth Perspectives for the Golden 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-EU relations”, 24 youth representatives from across the region, provided their contributions in four strategic areas of the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership: democracy and human rights; environment and climate change; education, science, and innovation; as well as sustainable growth and digitalisation. The resulting core youth recommendations will be presented in the context of the celebration of the ASEAN-EU 50th golden anniversary in 2027.

EU Youth Sounding Board members in ASEAN formulating recommendations for the future of ASEAN-EU relations

Hosted by the Mission of the European Union to ASEAN and the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines in collaboration with the ASEAN Centre on Biodiversity (ACB), the event also highlighted the main priorities of the Philippine ASEAN Chairship in 2026. Holding the 2026 ASEAN Chairship with the theme, “Navigating Our Future, Together”, the Philippines outlined three core pillars: security anchors, prosperity corridors and people empowerment.

Noting the volatile global situation, the Ambassador of the European Union to ASEAN, H.E. Sujiro Seam encouraged youth to take an active role, “We live in challenging times. I invite you to think about how the EU and ASEAN can continue to grow together in support of peace and prosperity amidst the current global geopolitical and economic crises.”

H.E. Sujiro Seam, Ambassador of the European Union to ASEAN

Also present at the session was H.E. Jerome Montemayor, Executive Director of the ACB. Bringing the youth at the forefront of regional biodiversity preservation has been central to the mission of the ACB. “Meaningful youth participation is ever more necessary than before. As present and future leaders and changemakers, young people need to be empowered to thrive and lead future generations,” Mr Montemayor said in his remarks.

Dr Jerome Montemayor, Executive director of ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Youth Sounding boards were established as part of the Youth Action Plan for EU External Action, with a central board of around 25 members and additional boards across partner countries and regions, including in ASEAN.

Concluding the event, Ms Katerina Lopo, Political Advisor at the EU Mission to ASEAN encouraged the youth to remain engaged with the EU and ASEAN and join forces as the ASEAN-EU golden 50th anniversary approaches - “as together we can lead by example and be the force for peace and prosperity for both our regions and at the same time be the force to tackle the global challenges that we all face and make our planet a better place to live for all locally, regionally and globally.

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