Jakarta, 14 October 2020The 7^th Action Plan Working Group (APWG) Workshop under the ASEAN+3 Mitigation Cooperation Programme, jointly implemented by ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and Korea Energy Agency (KEA), was held virtually and attended by representatives from Lao PDR, Myanmar, KEA, Korea Testing Certification (KTC), and ACE.

The annual workshop serves as a policy consultation platform to support the policy Development on Energy Efficiency Standards and Labelling (EE S&L) in Lao PDR and Myanmar. The workshop also discussed and agreed on the action plans and timeline for the development of policy frameworks for appliances Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EE&C) standards and labelling for both Lao PDR and Myanmar.

The workshop began with the welcoming remarks from each representative, Dr Seumkham Thoummavongsa, the Deputy Director General of Institute of Renewable Energy Promotion from the Ministry of Energy and Mines of Lao PDR; Daw Tin Tin Htoo, the Deputy Director General of Directorate of Industrial Collaboration from the Ministry of Planning, Finance, and Industry (MOPFI) of Myanmar; Mr. Jung Hoon Yang, Director of KEA; and Dr. Nuki Agya Utama, the Executive Director of ACE. They highlighted the importance of collaboration for the policy development to support energy efficiency and conservation efforts in ASEAN.

The representative of ACE shared the milestones of the previous APWG Meetings and the directives of the 19^th SOME+3 EPGG and 16^th AMEM+3. It was followed by presentation from KEA which shared an overview of the ACE-KEA Mitigation Cooperation Programme Phase II and Future Plans. KEA highlighted the future cooperation between ACE and KEA for the period of 2021-2025 which will be focusing on EE improvements and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction in building and industry Sectors.

The scope of the ASEAN+3 Mitigation Cooperation Programme for the period 2021-2025 consists of (i) Knowledge Exchange and Sharing Experiences in 2021; (ii) Policy and Technology Consultations and Market Analysis in 2021-2022; (iii) Implementation of Pilot Projects in 2022-2024; and (iv) Monitoring and Evaluation of the Pilot Projects, and Development for Extension of Projects in 2025.

During the workshop, Lao PDR and Myanmar shared their latest updates on EE S&L policy development. Lao PDR shared that the country had approved the Prime Minister Decree on EE&C in May 2020, and currently is developing a detailed supporting policy and regulation, including the sub-decree on EE S&L for air conditioner, and energy management guidelines and policies.

In Myanmar, on the other hand,  the country had has developed the S&L implementation process as well as the Monitoring, Verification, and Enforcement Mechanism. Myanmar is also planning to finalise the label and start the voluntary labelling implementation.

ACE shared the ASEAN Initiatives on Cooling and Lighting which includes the project Harmonization and Promotion of EE S&L in (AMS). In APAEC Phase II: 2021-2025, the scope of S&L will be expanded to other appliances such as motor, transformer, and refrigerator.

Mr. Nam Hyuk Lim, the representatives of KTC, provided an interesting and critical explanations about the five key components of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EE&C) programme, namely, State Policy and Management System; Guidelines and Stakeholder Responsibility; Support of Enterprises Measurement; Market Surveillance; and Enforcement Measurement. Mr. Lim also provided constructive recommendations to Lao PDR and Myanmar, which are currently progressing on the development of EE&C S&L policy and regulation.

There were several discussion points highlighted during the workshop. First, the EE&C Decree should focus on major energy-consuming sectors, such as Industry and Building. Secondly, the additional clause and measure for violation other than penalties and fine should also be included in the development of EE&C decree. Third, before the establishment national laboratories, countries could utilise the ASEAN Sectoral Mutual Recognition Arrangement for Electrical and Electronic Equipment Framework (ASEAN EEE MRA), as the development of testing facilities may take a long time. Finally, the governments should take leadership in the promotion of EE&C implementation, including providing incentives and support.

Hopefully, the ASEAN+3 Mitigation Cooperation Programme will continue to support ASEAN in achieving its energy intensity reduction target and encourage further energy efficiency and conservation efforts. For the next 8^th APWG and GHG Mitigation Capacity Building, it will be held virtually in Q1 2021.(RN)