The progress of seven key programme areas implemented under the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase II 2021 – 2025 were discussed at the 41st ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting and Its Associated Meetings (AMEM).
Among those discussed were the ASEAN Power Grid, Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline, Coal and Clean Coal Technology, Energy Efficiency and Conservation, Renewable Energy, Regional Energy Policy and Planning, and Civilian Nuclear Energy.
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof is attending the meeting held at Bali Nusa Dua Convention Centre in Bali, Indonesia, from August 24 until today.
Themed ‘Sustainable energy security through interconnectivity’, the 41st AMEM underlined the importance of sustainable energy development through interconnectivity including enhancing international cooperation to expand energy infrastructure, recognising energy interconnectivity and market integration in ASEAN as key enablers for cooperation to address energy security challenges, and accelerating a just and inclusive energy transition in the region.
The meeting saw the adoption of the Joint Declaration of the 41st ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting on Sustainable Energy Security through Interconnectivity that acts as a basis in the development of cross-border energy infrastructure projects between ASEAN member states, including the new Multilateral Power Trading project under the ASEAN Power Grid and to enhance the connectivity and accessibility of gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies for the region.
The meeting also saw the adoption of the Joint Statement of the Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines Power Integration Project (BIMP-PIP).
A number of associated ministerial meetings were also conducted including the 20th AMEM Plus Three; the 17th East Asia Summit Energy Ministerial Meeting; the AMEM and the United States Exchange; and the 7th AMEM-International Renewable Energy Agency Dialogue.
Indonesian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif chaired the meeting. Minister of Energy and Mines of Laos, the incoming Chair of AMEM, Phosay Sayasone, co-chaired the meeting. Other events organised were the 6th East Asia Energy Forum and the 2023 ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF).
At the sidelines of the meeting, Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi also had bilateral meetings with other heads of delegation, including Arifin Tasrif, and Malaysian Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Nik Nazmi bin Nik Ahmad to exchange views on areas of common interest.
Acting Permanent Secretary (Energy) at the Prime Minister’s Office Pengiran Haji Jamra Weira bin Pengiran Haji Petra as well as Brunei Darussalam’s senior official for Energy (SOE) Leader, and officials from the Department of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office accompanied Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi.
At the gala dinner last evening, ministerial delegates met bilaterally and established networking, followed by the 2023 ASEAN Energy Awards in recognition of best practices in energy efficiency and conservation, renewable energy, excellence in energy management, clean coal technologies, and youth awards. – James Kon
