Photo 1. MoU Signing Ceremony, signed by Beni Suryadi, Acting Executive Director of ACE, and Asst. Prof. Thongsouk Keomany, Vice President for Academic Affairs of National University of Laos (NUOL), witnessed by Dr Zulfikar Yurnaidi, Head of Energy Modelling and Policy Planning (MPP) Department at ACE and Assoc. Prof. Dr Khampaseuth Thepvongsa, Vice Dean, Faculty of Engineering, NUOL.

Vientiane, 30 September 2024 – The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and the National University of Laos (NUOL) are delighted to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) focused on promoting research and development (R&D) in the ASEAN energy sector. The signing ceremony was held in conjunction with the ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF-24) in Vientiane, Lao PDR, on 27 September 2024. Through this partnership, ACE and NUOL will take part in driving ASEAN towards energy transition by boosting knowledge dissemination and energy-related studies.

The MOA was signed by Beni Suryadi, Acting Executive Director of ACE, and Asst. Prof. Thongsouk Keomany, Vice President for Academic Affairs of National University of Laos (NUOL), witnessed by Dr Zulfikar Yurnaidi, Head of Energy Modelling and Policy Planning (MPP) Département at ACE and Assoc. Prof. Dr Khampaseuth Thepvongsa, Vice Dean, Faculty of Engineering, NUOL.

Beni Suryadi, Acting Executive Director of ACE, expressed his excitement for the collaboration, stating, “ACE recognises the important role of academia in shaping the future of energy in ASEAN. Hence, embarking on this fruitful academic collaboration with NUOL will be a pivotal step towards advancing the region’s energy security, accessibility, affordability, and sustainability. Leveraging on ACE and NUOL’s expertise, we aspire to pursue joint studies and research initiatives on ASEAN’s energy landscape and transition, including the role of Lao PDR in ensuring the region’s sustainable and resilient future.”

Asst. Prof. Thongsouk Keomany, Vice President for Academic Affairs of National University of Laos (NUOL), stated, “Partnering with ASEAN Centre of Energy serves as a transformative step in strengthening our interdisciplinary research, especially in ASEAN’s energy sector. We strive to leverage this collaboration to address key issues in ASEAN’s energy landscape, emphasising our commitment to drive ASEAN closer to just energy transition.”

A key activity of this MOA is the 4^th ASEAN International Conference on Energy and Environment (AICEE) organisation. This conference illustrates the shared commitment in promoting energy cooperation across ASEAN region through collaborations between academics, practitioners, and key stakeholders towards resilient energy security and transition

Moreover, the MOA also outlines several key areas of cooperation, including visits from fellows of NUOL for study and research in the ACE office. ACE and NUOL will also embark on joint research activities, collaborative participation, and boost the participation of research and academic staff in seminars and conferences. Together, they aim to organise meetings, workshops, courses, and/or conferences on ASEAN’s energy landscape, signifying their joint efforts in aligning academia with the regions’ energy transition.

This partnership underlines ACE and NUOL’s commitment to addressing energy challenges in ASEAN by fostering academic exchange in the energy sector. Through joint initiatives, ACE and NUOL seek to advance sustainable development and aid the region’s shift towards a low-carbon, resource-efficient economy.

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About ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE)

Established on 1 January 1999, the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) is an intergovernmental organisation within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) structure that represents the 10 ASEAN Member States’ (AMS) interests in the energy sector. ACE supports the implementation of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC), a blueprint for ASEAN energy sector. The Centre is guided by a Governing Council composed of Senior Officials on Energy from each AMS and a representative from the ASEAN Secretariat as an ex-officio member.

The three key roles of ACE:

• As a catalyst to unify and strengthen ASEAN energy cooperation and integration by implementing relevant capacity building programmes and projects to assist the AMS develop their energy sector.
• As the ASEAN energy data centre and knowledge hub to provide a knowledge repository for the AMS.
• As an ASEAN energy think tank to assist the AMS by identifying and surfacing innovative solutions for ASEAN’s energy challenges on policies, legal & regulatory frameworks and technologies.

Keeping the region’s improvement, sustainable and harmless to the ecosystem is a fundamental concern of the ASEAN energy sector. Hosted by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of Indonesia, ACE’s office is located in Jakarta, Indonesia. For more information on ACE website: aseanenergy.org

For further information, please contact:

Aurelia Syafina, Communications Team at ACE: [email protected]