ASEM Working Group on "Eco-innovation Competence of SMEs"

In the Chair's Statement of 10th ASEM Summit in 2014, leaders acknowledged the importance of eco-innovation among SMEs and the role of the ASEM SMEs Eco-Innovation Center (ASEIC) and endorsed the proposal of Korea with ASEIC to hold the "ASEM Working Group on Eco-innovation Competence of SMEs". It provides a platform for policy dialogue, experience sharing and cooperation matchmaking in order to expand awareness of eco-innovation of SMEs for sustainable development. It aims to elaborate common ground to support SMEs of participating countries. It is expected to be endorsed as a new cooperative initiative in the 11th ASEM summit in 2016.

Workshop on ASEM SMEs Eco-innovation Competence 2015

Before launching the official ASEM Working Group, a preliminary workshop is organized to draw agendas with delegators from ASEM member countries and experts from international organizations and institutions. It enables to establish a network to foster eco-innovation of SMEs and to continue exchange and future collaborations among ASEM member countries.

With the theme of "Enhancing SMEs Eco-Innovation Competence towards Sustainable Development in Asia and Europe", the workshop is organized to draw agendas to support eco-innovation of SMEs with delegation from ASEM member countries and experts from international organizations and institutions. It was held on 1-2 June 2015 at Imperial Palace Hotel in Seoul, Republic of Korea.