Indonesia Encourages Collaboration On Energy Resilience In Mekong Area, Deputy Minister Of Foreign Affairs Of The Republic Of Indonesia: Transition Can't Be Alone

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Arif Havas Oegroseno said the energy transition cannot be done alone, inviting cooperation between countries in the Mekong area to work together so that the benefits are felt throughout the region.

This was said by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Havas in an activity carried out by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs entitled "The 2nd Indonesia" Mekong Basin Connect Forum: Energy Security Cooperation in the Region" which was held in the Alam Sutera Area, South Tangerang on Thursday.

Emphasizing that the energy transition is one of the priorities, Indonesia encourages countries in the Mekong region to jointly develop new and renewable energy, including targeting collaboration opportunities in the establishment of solar panel development centers in the region, as well as utilizing carbon credit as an innovative solution for clean energy financing.

"Energy transition cannot be done alone. We need to work together to open access to new financing, expand technology, and ensure the benefits are felt throughout the region," said Deputy Foreign Minister Havas in a keynote speech delivered online, Thursday, October 16.

This forum is an important event for Indonesia to strengthen cooperation in the field of energy security with the public and private sectors in the Mekong area, namely Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Cambodia.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, this forum is filled with a panel discussion session presenting representatives from the Mekong River Commission Secretariat (MRCS), Asian Development Bank (ADB), and Asia Pacific Energy Research Center (APERC). The discussion, which was hosted by Agustaviano Sofjan, former Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia at Ho Chi Minh City (2021 2024), raised the theme The Future of Energy Security Cooperation in Southeast Asia.

As part of the forum, a Business Talk on Energy Security was also held which brought together stakeholders from the Mekong and Indonesia regions to explore real cooperation opportunities.Session that highlights the business side of this energy cooperation is filled by a number of companies and energy institutions in the region, such as Badminton Du Laos, PT Indo Tambangraya Megah (Banpu Group, Thailand), CT Group (Vietnam), Maxpower Group (Myanmar), as well as representatives from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Cambodia and the Association of Indonesian Oil and Gas Companies.

Therefore, the forum was also closed with a business matching session between Indonesian business actors and partners from countries in the Mekong area to explore investment potential and cooperation in sustainable energy projects.

Through this forum, Indonesia reiterated its commitment to strengthening regional cooperation that focuses on energy resilience, sustainability, environment, and inclusive economic growth.