Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - ASEAN, EU mark 45 year relationship with 45km cycle event

ASEAN, EU mark 45 year relationship with 45km cycle event

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Representatives of ASEAN, EU Delegations and EU Member States marked the occasion with a symbolic ride from the ASEAN Secretariat to the premises of the EU Delegation in Jakarta on August 13. SUPPLIED

ASEAN, EU mark 45 year relationship with 45km cycle event

The Secretary-General of ASEAN Dato Lim Jock Hoi and the Ambassador of the European Union to ASEAN Igor Driesmans officially launched the Bike45Ride cycling event on August 13 in Jakarta, as ASEAN and EU celebrate 45 years of strategic partnership.

Representatives of ASEAN, EU Delegations and EU Member States marked the occasion with a symbolic ride from the ASEAN Secretariat to the premises of the EU Delegation in Jakarta.

Prior to flagging off the start of the Bike45Ride, Dato Lim Jock Hoi in his opening remarks noted that the activity not only serves as a credible platform to create public awareness of the work of ASEAN-EU but also a vital effort to encourage more people to shift towards sustainable transportation, according to an August 13 joint press release by the EU and ASEAN.

Of ASEAN’s population of over 650 million, nearly 300 million people live in urban areas and more than 25 percent live in cities with over one million inhabitants. In the next 15 years, ASEAN’s urban areas are expected to accommodate another 100 million people, it added.

With $5.2 million support from the EU for 2021-2024, the Smart Green ASEAN Cities (SGAC) programme will assist ASEAN Member States in finding smart green solutions to the high urbanisation rate through digitalisation and use of technology.

In his opening remarks, Driesmans said green growth and the environment are key strategic sectors of the EU’s partnership with ASEAN. The event not only marked 45 years of relations with ASEAN but also the EU’s commitment to continue working together towards a greener future, according to the press release.

“In the 45 years of partnership between our two regions, we have continuously worked to address our common challenges and to create a better future for both ASEAN and EU citizens. This bike ride aims to encourage all ASEAN and EU citizens in the region to take part in making our future greener,” he said.

“We have increasingly become partners in sustainability. Together, we have built a very important program to protect biodiversity across the region to sustainably manage wetlands – a very important programme,” Igor Driesmans said in a virtual press conference on August 13.

The Bike45Ride event is a virtual cycling competition organised from 13 August to 11 September 2022 for all ASEAN and EU citizens residing in the ten ASEAN Member States. Participants can take part as individuals or in a group of up to five to complete a total distance of 45km within the race period.

Cities are major sources of greenhouse gases, and analysis of the state of the atmosphere in the ASEAN region reveals that air pollution levels are increasing, with the energy and transport sectors being responsible for the largest carbon dioxide emissions, the press release quoted Fakri Karim, acting manager of ASEAN’s Smart Green ASEAN Cities Programme, as saying.

Kin Phea, director of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, told The Post that it’s a very good initiative to work together to enhance the green agenda because the world today is facing many challenges including global warming and climate change related natural disasters. These environmental challenges have many consequences, especially food insecurity.

“Environmental issues go beyond borders, so a collective effort and commitment are very important to address these challenges. It’s time for the all groups to work together harder for all human beings and our planet,” he said.

MOST VIEWED

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • Honda shutters Siem Reap football club

    Japanese football legend Keisuke Honda, the owner of Siem Reap football club Soltilo Angkor FC, has been forced to shut the club down, after it failed to attract sponsorship for the upcoming season. Honda, the former manager of the Cambodia men's national football team, said

  • Hun Sen warns of regional tensions

    ASIA is becoming a dangerous geopolitical hotspot, with several countries announcing that they intend to send naval vessels towards Southeast Asia and on to the South China Sea, warned Prime Minister Hun Sen. “Heated geopolitical issues can easily escalate, namely to war. I am not

  • PM declares ASEAN Para Games open

    The 12th ASEAN Para Games officially kicked off on the evening of June 3 at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, with a spectacular opening ceremony featuring fireworks and performances by some of the Kingdom’s most accomplished talents. Tens of thousands of sports fans

  • Waterway job still pending for Kampot tourism port’s opening

    The search is still on for a contractor to expand and deepen the Kampot International Tourism Port’s waterway and deliver additional enhancements allowing safe access for larger vessels, nearly a year after the main construction work on the 4.25ha site was completed on June 30, 2022.