Online, 19 July 2021The 3rd New Southern Policy Forum was held virtually on 19 July 2021. The forum was hosted by the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), in cooperation with the Republic of Korea (ROK) Mission to ASEAN, bringing the theme of Synergy between Korea’s Green New Deal and ASEAN Initiatives on Green Recovery and Energy Transition. The forum served as a platform for ASEAN and ROK to share information and exchange views about their policies and practices in energy transition and green recovery.

COVID-19 Pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges that impact the socio-economic life and the energy sector. Since energy plays a crucial role in post-pandemic recovery, the ASEAN Member States (AMS) and Korean governments bring the sustainable and green recovery element as the core strategy.

“To build back better from the COVID-19 Pandemic and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, the Korean Government announced last July the Korean New Deal, a national development strategy to support the country’s recovery from the pandemic crisis. The Green New Deal is one of the three pillars of the Korean New Deal aims to move towards a net-zero society through a green transition of infrastructure, low carbon and decentralised energy supply and innovation in the green industry,” said H.E. Lim Sungnam, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to ASEAN, during his welcoming remark.

“Last year, our ASEAN Energy Ministers adopted ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase II: 2021-2025, with an apparent focus on energy transition and resilience that takes into account the energy opportunities and challenges for about by the pandemic, the cross-cutting push for decarbonisation and the respond to climate change as well as the overall pursuit of green growth and sustainable development for our societies. ASEAN is looking at a multi-pronged path towards sustainable energy future through accelerating the deployment of renewables as well as exploring alternative sources and utilising emerging technologies,” said H.E Satvinder Singh, Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Economic Community, in his congratulatory remark.

During the Forum, Dr Zulfikar Yurnaidi, Senior Officer of Sustainable, Renewable Energy, and Energy Efficiency (REE) of ACE, highlighted that the ASEAN’s efforts for green recovery are directed under the APAEC Phase II and ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF) by accelerating region’s energy transition and strengthening energy resilience through the implementation of seven (7) programme areas, including Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EE&C) and Renewable Energy.

Subsequently, Prof. Chung Suh-Yong, Professor of Division of International Studies of Korea University, emphasised that Korea is adopting the Energy Transition Policy, Green New Deal, and Policy in Carbon Neutrality 2050 under the Moon Administration, which commits to strengthening cooperation and support for developing countries to recover from pandemic crisis and achieving green transition through Korea’s Green Official Development Assistance (ODA). Additionally, he highlighted ten key technologies and policy priorities of Korea’s Carbon Neutrality.

Dr Chung Sungsam, Research Fellow from Korea Energy Economics Institute (KEEI), explained several ways to expand energy cooperation, including intensifying climate change mitigation efforts, through Green New Deal ODA, such as improving EE and CCUS deployment, internalising climate change through energy convergence, and exploring innovative finance models, such as Loan Conversion Model. 

The Forum was concluded with a panel discussion on Synergy Between ROK’s Green New Deal and ASEAN Initiatives on Green Recovery and Energy Transition. The Forum emphasised the importance of the alignment of AMS’ National Determined Contributions (NDCs), APAEC Programme Areas, and ROK 2050 Carbon Neutral Policy Priorities and Technologies in exploring the potential cooperation between ASEAN and ROK. 

Dr Weerawat Chantanakome, Ministry Counsellor for International Affairs, Ministry of Energy, Thailand, highlighted that the AMS could learn from Korea’s strategic pathway towards the net-zero carbon region’s energy transition. He further emphasised the cooperation between ASEAN and Korea should be intensified and strengthened to achieve the common goals.  

 “We hope that from this 3rd New Southern Policy Forum, ASEAN and Korea could further strengthen the cooperation and develop tangible cooperation in accelerating energy transition and resilience towards sustainable recovery and addressing climate change issues in the region,” said Dr Nuki Agya Utama, Executive Director of ACE during his closing remarks.  

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By Tyari Octhalya Tadzmara (TOT)