ASEAN Energy Business Forum 2023 Officially Ends, Highlights Acceleration Of Energy Connectivity For Sustainable ASEAN Growth

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Arifin Tasrif. (Photo: Special)

JAKARTA - ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF) 2023, which was held in conjunction with the 41st ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM-41), with the theme "Accelerating Energy Connectivity to Achieve Sustainable Growth of ASEAN, ending today with brilliant success. The event organized by The ASEAN Center for Energy (ACE) in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) of the Republic of Indonesia brought together the Minister of Energy ASEAN & Timor Leste, Minister of Energy partners of the ASEAN dialogue, energy industry leaders, experts, academics from all over ASEAN and surrounding areas.

Dr. Nuki Agya Utama, Executive Director of ACE, highlighted the significant progress achieved in AEBF 2023. The triple helix Forum emphasizes the importance of collaboration and partnership between industrial representatives, government, and academics to discuss energy and environmental issues.

According to Dr. Nuki, ACE collaborated with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in AEBF 2023 to provide valuable insight into the field of programs included in the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase II: 2021-2025 to achieve a future of safe, sustainable and resilient energy.

"As we all know, the government, the business world, investors, and academics in ASEAN member countries agree on the importance of regional cooperation for the security of sustainable energy and interconnectivity to support ASEAN as a growth center," he explained, in a statement quoted on Saturday, August 27.

On the second day, panel sessions within the AEBF provided platforms for the exchange of knowledge, dialogue, and collaboration between industry leaders, government representatives, academics, and experts. Discussions ranged around energy transitions, electrical network interconnectivity, cleaner energy initiatives, essential minerals, utilization of natural gas, low-carbon investment, coal roles in energy transitions, and more.

Another important thing is that ACE has strengthened its commitment to advancing energy, sustainability and innovation collaboration throughout the ASEAN region by signing a significant series of Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with regional and international key partners. The MoU was unveiled at the 41st ASEAN Ministers on Energy (AMEM-41) in conjunction with the 2023 ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF) on August 25, 2023, in the presence of ASEAN Ministers and dialogue partners, who underlined the importance of this collaboration in shaping the energy landscape in the region.

ACE collaboration includes a variety of partners, each of which contributes different expertise and resources to strengthen the energy sector in ASEAN. The MoU is in line with the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase II: 2021-2025 and includes initiatives such as cross-border electrical interconnection between Indonesia and Malaysia, accelerating the integration of renewable energy through the ASEAN Power Grid, improving environmentally friendly energy collaboration. with China, promoting energy efficiency financing, and fostering partnerships with organizations such as UNOPS, GIZ, KDB, EFC, JICA, ADB, JETRO, and academic institutions. This partnership signifies ACE's role in advancing sustainable energy development and collaboration in the region.

In closing AEBF, the event also celebrates the advantages in the energy sector through the prestigious ASEAN Energy Awards. This award recognizes extraordinary achievements in various categories, including energy efficiency and conservation in buildings, industries, energy management, renewable energy, and environmentally friendly coal technology.

This admission underscores the extraordinary contribution made by individuals and organizations to the advancement of sustainable energy practices in the ASEAN region. AEBF 2023 was successfully organized by The ASEAN Center for Energy (ACE) and Dyandra Promosindo as co-organizers, with the support of the Main Sponsor: PT. Pertamina, Berhad National Power, PLN, and SARAWAK ENERGY.