JAKARTA - The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, highlighted the issue of energy security as a major challenge that must be faced together. According to President Prabowo, the increasing global pressure and geopolitical instability in the Middle East make energy issues no longer just a long-term challenge, but a need that must be immediately responded to.
"Energy resilience is one of the important issues we face today. With increasing global pressure and instability in the Middle East, this is no longer a long-term problem, but an urgent problem," the President said in his speech while attending the Special Summit (KTT) Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) which is part of the 48th ASEAN Summit series in Cebu, Philippines, on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
The Head of State said that the BIMP-EAGA region has great potential in the development of renewable energy, ranging from hydropower, solar energy, wind energy, to fertile land that has not been optimally utilized. President Prabowo also questioned the readiness of member countries to utilize this potential to meet the needs of the region while supporting the ASEAN energy transition.
"The question is whether we are ready to act on this potential. Not only to meet our subregional needs, but also to contribute to the ASEAN energy transition," said the President.
Furthermore, President Prabowo encouraged concrete steps to accelerate the development of clean energy in the region. Some of the steps highlighted include the development of hydropower in Borneo, the expansion of solar energy projects in Palawan, and the use of wind energy in coastal areas.
President Prabowo also gave examples of a number of steps that Indonesia is taking to accelerate the development of solar energy. "Our energy transition is moving at full speed. We are building 100 GW of solar power. Together we will improve our energy infrastructure. BIMP-EAGA has great potential," said the President.
In addition to energy development, President Prabowo emphasized the importance of strengthening sub-regional connectivity, including increasing the capacity of the Trans Borneo Power Grid electricity network so that energy distribution can run more efficiently in the region. The President assessed that all of these agendas require financing support, technical expertise, and closer partnerships with regional development partners.
"All of this would not have happened without the right support. We need to secure funding, mobilize technical expertise; and deepen partnerships with regional advisers and our Development Partners," said the President.
Closing his speech, President Prabowo emphasized that in addition to energy resilience, food security is also a fundamental issue that must be a common concern of BIMP-EAGA countries in maintaining the welfare of the region's people.
"However, our efforts should not stop at energy resilience. Food security is equally fundamental," concluded the President.
From Cebu, President Prabowo also sent a strong message that the future of ASEAN is not only determined by economic growth, but also by the region's ability to maintain energy, food, and community stability in the midst of a changing world.
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