The 38th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) and the 2020 ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF)

The 38^th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) and the 2020 ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF), hosted virtually by Vietnam, were successfully held on 18-20 November 2020. The conference did showcase not only presentations and panel discussions by experts on different energy topics, but also addressed thematic keynote speeches from ASEAN energy ministers, distinguished leaders of major energy companies in ASEAN, as well as representatives/ambassadors from ASEAN Dialogue Partners (e.g. Germany, Norway, USA). In this conference, a virtual networking programme was provided with AI based integrated matchmaking service, which allowed conference speakers and delegates, sponsors, exhibitors, visitors and media partners to arrange virtual one-on-one individual or group meetings.

The opening ceremony of the 38^th AMEM and the 2020 AEBF was held jointly on 19 November 2020 with one of its main agenda: the launch of ASEAN Plan of Action on Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase 2: 2021-2025 and the 6^th ASEAN Energy Outlook (AEO6) as the flagship publication of ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE). These documents have been awaited with great anticipation by the Member States because it will help define ASEAN’s succession in achieving its 2025 target, particularly in renewable energy and energy intensity. The AEO6 was developed with continous support from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH through the ASEAN-German Energy Programme (AGEP) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), in close collaboration with experts and policy-makers from all 10 ASEAN Member States (AMS).

On the second day of AEBF, AGEP took part in one of AEBF panel discussions with the theme of, “$3 Trillion Cumulative Investment for ASEAN’s Sustainable Energy Pathways”. The discussion revolved around how the investment will support the region to achieve its energy security, accessibility, affordability and sustainability, especially in the post COVID-19 setting. In that panel discussion, AGEP’s Principal Advisor and the GIZ ASEAN Cluster Coordinator, Sergey Makarov, stressed the importance of stronger regional cooperation in accelerating the energy transition from fossil fuel dependence.

The German Ambassador to Vietnam, H.E. Guido Hildner, addressed his keynote remarks on the last day of AEBF, stating Germany’s long-standing support to the development of sustainable energy in ASEAN partnership with ACE that has been cooperating for more than a decade. The session was then followed by an ACE presentation on Charting ASEAN’s Pathways Collectively through APAEC Phase 2 and AEO6. Rizky Aditya Putra, Senior Officer of ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation, explained the additional sub-theme of “Accelerating Energy Transition and Strengthening Energy Resilience through Greater Innovation and Cooperation” and the seven key strategies for APAEC Phase 2. While Dr. Tharinya Supasa, Senior Officer of Energy Policy Planning and Modelling, presented the results from different scenarios in AEO6, including projection of energy supply, consumption, electricity demand, decarbonization and socio-economic analysis until 2040.

The 38^th AMEM commemorated the ASEAN energy ministers commitment to strengthen the regional energy cooperation and pledge in continuing their effort to accelerate the energy transition of ASEAN towards a sustainable energy future, amidst unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic on the global energy sector and overall economic growth. As for next year, the ministers agreed to convene the 39^th AMEM in Brunei Darussalam. (MW)