As per the 2012 Global Go To Think Tanks Index report, the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) ranks 28th among the world’s top 50 international economic policy think tanks. During 2012, ERIA was able to move up in the pecking order by two positions when compared to the 2011 report wherein it was ranked 30th. Further, ERIA is the only think tank in the ASEAN region to be honoured in this category.
These rankings are given annually by the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program of the International Relations Program of the University of Pennsylvania. The 2012 rankings are based on a survey of 6,603 think tanks from 182 countries as well as involves some 1,950 policymakers, journalists, and scholars from 120 countries in the nomination and ranking process. ERIA’s ranking during 2012 was the outcome of commitment and extensive research done by the organisation on the ASEAN and East Asian region.
ERIA was conceptualised in November 2006 by an experts group comprising experts from 16 countries and the ASEAN Secretariat. In April 2007, the Experts Group agreed on the points of convergence on the institutional set-up of ERIA, which illustrated the activities and policy interface of ERIA. The research institute was finally established at the third East Asia Summit in November 2007. Based in Indonesia, ERIA works very closely with the ASEAN Secretariat as well as research institutes in 16 countries to undertake and disseminate policy research and provide analytical policy recommendations to leaders and ministers at their regional meetings.
