EU-Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum Explores Economic and Security Partnerships

Brussels: Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, chaired the fourth EU-Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum in Brussels, on 20 and 21 November 2025. The forum discussed shared prosperity, economic security, and digital connectivity among other vital topics. According to Emirates News Agency, participants at the Forum focused on enhancing cooperation and solidarity across three parallel roundtables. These roundtables addressed security priorities in light of current geopolitical developments, shared prosperity, economic security, digital connectivity, and common endeavors for a clean and sustainable future. The event gathered around 70 delegations from EU institutions, member states, and countries and regional organizations from the Indo-Pacific region, stretching from the East coast of Africa to the Pacific Islands. The EU-Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum serves as a unique platform for the EU and its member states to collectively e ngage with Indo-Pacific partners. It highlights a shared interest in fostering cooperation on a region-to-region basis, aiming to enhance mutual security, prosperity, and resilience. This cooperation is crucial as Europe and the Indo-Pacific face intertwined futures amid geopolitical shifts and economic uncertainty. Challenges such as pressures on the multilateral system, the weaponization of trade and technology, and the climate crisis are drawing these regions closer together, relying on a rules-based international order and multilateral institutions. The Forum was also an opportunity for the EU to showcase progress in strengthening partnerships with Indo-Pacific countries and organizations since the last Ministerial meeting in February 2024. This includes Security and Defence Partnerships with Japan and the Republic of Korea, concluding negotiations on the EU-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, signing the EU Clean Trade and Investment Partnership with South Africa, and providing finan cial and technical support for the ASEAN Power Grid development. Additionally, the first-ever EU-Pacific Business Forum unlocked nearly £300 million in new investments and budget support, alongside numerous other cooperation agreements and initiatives led by EU member states.