On 19 April 2021, the Council adopted conclusions on an EU Strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. As a follow-up to the Council conclusions, the Commission and the High Representative adopted, on 16 September, a Joint Communication on the EU Strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. The Joint Communication contains concrete actions to reinforce the strategic engagement with the region, as tasked by the Council on 19 April 2021.
President Ursula von der Leyen said: “The economic, demographic, and political weight of the Indo-Pacific region is expanding, from the east coast of Africa to the Pacific island states. With today's proposals, and guided by our values, we are offering a strengthened partnership to advance trade, investment and connectivity, while addressing common global challenges and reinforcing the rules-based international order.”
High Representative/Vice-President, Josep Borrell, said: “The world's centre of gravity is moving towards the Indo Pacific, both in geo-economic and geo-political terms. The futures of the EU and the Indo-Pacific are interlinked. The EU is already the top investor, the leading development cooperation partner and one of the biggest trading partners in the Indo-Pacific region. Our engagement aims at maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific for all, while building strong and lasting partnerships to cooperate on matters from the green transition, ocean governance or the digital agenda to security and defence.”

Additional information:
Questions and Answers: EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific
Factsheet on EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific
State of the Union Address by President von der Leyen