Mangrove forests in Nui Chua national park, Ninh Thuan province, Vietnam (Photo: VNA)

The initiative, backed by a 30-million euro grant from the EU budget, is expected to strengthen the EU-ASEAN partnership in climate action, environmental and biodiversity protection, clean energy transition, disaster resilience, prevention of illegal logging, wildlife trafficking, and air pollution.

As part of the EU's overall Green Deal diplomacy, the initiative provides the framework for coordinated green action between participating Team Europe partners and ASEAN member states. It will be implemented both at national and regional levels in the ASEAN region.