On 14 July 2016, ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Energy (SOME) met with Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar for the 17th SOME-METI Consultation. Hosted by Myanmar, the Consultation was chaired by U Htein Lwin, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Electricity and Energy (MOEE), Myanmar. This is the first SOME-METI Consultation to be held since the launch of ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2016-2025, where the SOE Leaders decided to bring the cooperation to a new level under the new APAEC.

During the Meeting, the Senior Officials on Energy (SOE) Leaders discussed the accomplishments of SOME-METI work programmes under the APAEC 2010-2015 and updates on progress and challenges, as well as the way forward of the cooperation.  The Meeting appreciated that progress has been made on the successful implementation of the SOME-METI work programmes 2015-2016 in the field of energy efficiency and conservation (EE&C). They expressed confidence that the cooperation between ASEAN and Japan on EE&C could lead to the advancement of EE&C in contributing to energy security and sustainable energy.

On the challenges, the Senior Officials had an exchange of views on regional and global common concerns and agreed to enhance cooperation to address energy security challenges and promote sustainable energy.  To this end, they welcomed the initiatives of Japan to enhance the promotion of liquefied natural gas (LNG) utilisation as a cleaner energy option in the Asian region.  As the region still relies on pipeline supplies, the Meeting expressed the importance of collaboration between ASEAN and Japan to exchange information, experience, know-how and technology on LNG utilisation.  Seeing the market volatility and to establish an efficient regasification terminal, the Meeting explored the ideas for a more competitive trading hub of LNG among ASEAN + 3 countries (China, Japan and Korea).

To move EE&C forward, the Meeting agreed on the action plan of SOME-METI work programme for the period 2016-2017, in order to support the regional pursuit of energy efficiency target under the APAEC 2016-2020. Encouraging the partnership, the ASEAN Member States expressed their appreciation and gratitude to Japan for its continuous support to EE&C development in the region. (RJPS)