James Kon
Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Energy Pengiran Haji Jamra Weira bin Pengiran Haji Petra in his capacity as the Senior Official on Energy Leader of Brunei Darussalam, chaired the Special Senior Officials Meeting on Energy (Special SOME) and its associated meetings held from January 26-27 at the Prime Minister’s Office Building.
ASEAN senior officials on Energy from ASEAN member states, ASEAN specialised energy bodies and sub-sector networks, ASEAN Secretariat and the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) gathered for the two-day meeting virtually.
The meeting commenced with the Special SOME, followed by the 24th ACE Governing Council (AGC) Meeting on the second day.
According to the Ministry of Energy, the meeting discussed ASEAN energy accomplishments and priority plans for the year ahead.
A report on matters ranging from Annual Priority Deliverables for ASEAN Energy Cooperation, and APAEC Phase II: 2021 – 2025 to the Work Plan for the year 2022 endorsed during the 39th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (39th AMEM) and ASEAN Coordination Meetings convened in 2021 were among the topics discussed on the first day.
The meeting also addressed ASEAN cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination alongside energy cooperation with dialogue partners and international organisations.
The 24th ACE Governing Council Meeting which convened the following day was also chaired by Pengiran Haji Jamra Weira with Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Mines and Energy and Senior Official on Energy Leader of Cambodia Victor Jona as Vice-Chair.
The meeting reviewed the report on ASEAN Centre for Energy operations in 2021 and the plans for 2022 including activities on ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC), Sustainable Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Programme, Power Fossil Fuels, Storage and Alternative Energy Programme, Energy Policy, Policy Planning and Modelling Programme, and the ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF).
ACE’s programme priorities and budget for the year 2022 were also deliberated on.
These meetings showcase Brunei’s strong commitment in working collaboratively with other ASEAN member states to ensure their path towards a dynamic and sustainable regional economic community is aligned.
The special SOME and the AGC meeting are among key activities in ASEAN’s energy sector.
The meetings will further strengthen collaboration among energy bodies and enrich cooperation with dialogue partners, international organisations and the private sector.
Cambodia is assuming the ASEAN Chairmanship for the year 2022 with the theme ‘ASEAN ACT: Addressing Challenges Together’.
