Welcoming AZEC Participants, Bahlil Emphasizes International Collaboration For Clean Zero Emission

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia officially welcomed the participants of the 2nd Ministerial Meeting (AZEC) Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) at the Gala Dinner event which was held in Jakarta, Tuesday, August 20.

This agenda is Bahlil's first international agenda after officially serving as Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources since Monday 19 August.

AZEC is part of the emission reduction initiative that was first initiated by Japanese Prime Minister at COP 26 in Glasgow and officially launched at the G20 Summit in Bali, November 14, 2022, by President Joko Widodo and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

In his remarks, Bahlil expressed his appreciation for solid cooperation in the energy sector between AZEC member countries, consisting of the countries Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines Cambodia, Laos, Brunei and Australia. He emphasized the importance of collaboration to achieve the target of net zero emissions, especially for developing countries such as Indonesia that need adequate technology and funding.

"To achieve net zero emissions is our common goal and this is our shared responsibility. Indonesia in the future in 2050-2060 must have reached a better point," said Bahlil in a statement to the media, Wednesday, August 21.

Furthermore, Bahlil emphasized that developing countries such as Indonesia have great potential in new and renewable energy, but still face challenges in terms of technology and financing.

"There must be a synergy between developed countries that already have technology and developing countries that have potential but do not have good technology, especially if they need sufficient capital," Bahlil continued.

The AZEC 2nd Ministerial Meeting will produce several important results, including The 2nd AZEC Ministerial Joint Statement, the publication of the new AZEC project Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the launch of the Asian Zero Emission Center. In addition, the AZEC Business Forum will also be held which aims to garner business participation in decarbonization efforts as well as a business matching forum to strengthen future collaboration.

"I believe and believe that through this forum tomorrow we will be able to discuss to produce constructive ideas to collaborate and cooperate in a good and mutually beneficial manner," concluded Bahlil.

On the same occasion, Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ken Saito expressed his appreciation for Indonesia for organizing this event.

"I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Government of Indonesia for hosting this meeting. The leadership, enthusiasm and energy shown by Indonesia to encourage this grand plan is in line with Indonesia's efforts to lead the AZEC. Through this event, I hope we can build momentum to accelerate decarbonization in Asia," he concluded.