Photo 1. Group Photo of the 6th ASEAN-Korea Capacity Building Workshop Participants in Busan, South Korea 

The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and Korea Energy Agency (KEA) co-organised the 6th ASEAN-Korea Capacity Building Workshop (CBW) on the transport and industry sector and the 14th Action Plan Working Group (APWG) Meeting, held on 4–6 September 2024, in Busan, South Korea. The three-day capacity-building programme is part of the activities under the ASEAN+3 Mitigation Cooperation Programme 2024 – 2025, attended by seven (7) ASEAN Member States, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam.

Photo 2. The 14th Action Plan Working Group (APWG) Meeting 

The agenda on the first day was the 14th Action Plan Working Group Meeting (APWG), attended by official delegates from Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Myanmar (CLM), representatives from KEA, and ACE. The meeting aimed to facilitate knowledge sharing and policy consultation with a focus on enhancing Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EE&C) in the building sector and greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation in CLM countries.  

During the meeting, CLM countries representatives presented an overview of their energy efficiency policies for the building sector, outlining action plans, strategies, and the challenges in implementing these policies. ACE representatives also shared the directives from the 42nd SOME and 23rd SOME+3, along with regional strategies and initiatives for EE&C in the building sector. Moreover, the head of Center of Building Energy Research Center at Korea Conformity Laboratories participated in the meeting to share his expertise on the building energy efficiency policy, building energy certification, building energy codes, and Research and Development (R&D) projects for existing buildings in Korea. 

Photo 3. Visit to Busan Eco Delta City (EDC) 

The event’s second day was scheduled for site visits to Korean companies for all ASEAN Member States (AMS) participants. The first destination in the morning was a visit to Eco Delta City (EDC), a national smart city pilot project that aims to create a smart city model by applying advanced technology in various fields, including housing, commerce, research and development, and logistics. The key elements implemented for this smart city are based on 3-platform technology, including a digital city platform, an augmented city platform, and a robot city platform. During the tour, participants were introduced to the EDC Exhibition Hall, EDC Smart Village, EDC Experience Zone, and EDC Platform Center. 

Photo 4. Visit to the Hyundai MotorStudio Busan 

The second destination was Hyundai MotorStudio Busan, where the theme for 2024 was “Plastic: Remaking Our World.” This theme focused on the dual nature of plastic, once a symbol of innovation but now at the forefront of environmental issues. Participants were presented with an exhibition on plastic, highlighting Hyundai’s efforts to promote sustainability by using eco-friendly materials in its IONIQ vehicles and developing the Plastic-to-Hydrogen (P2H) process for producing eco-friendly hydrogen. 

Photo 5. Visit to the World Industry Climate Exhibition Tour at BEXCO 

Day 2 of the study tour concluded with a visit to the World Industry Climate Exhibition Tour at the Busan Exhibition & Convention Center (BEXCO). On the tour, participants were invited to explore innovative solutions for energy efficiency, including high-efficiency equipment and advanced management systems. The potential for carbon-free energy sources such as solar power, wind, nuclear power, and carbon capture and storage were also introduced. The tour also showcased advances in future mobility, highlighting electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and promising developments in autonomous driving technology. 

The 6th ASEAN-Korea Capacity Building Workshop (CBW) on the Transportation and Industrial Sector was held on the last day. The workshop aimed to discuss regional strategies, initiatives, policies, and challenges related to EE&C in the industry and transport sectors and identify regional cooperation opportunities. The discussions also aimed to align regional efforts with the ambitious aspirational goals outlined in the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) and its future goals post-2025. 

Photo 6. Opening Remarks delivered by Ambassador BooNam Shin (left) and Christopher G. Zamora (right), at the 6th ASEAN-Korea Capacity Building Workshop 

The ASEAN-Korea CBW workshop commenced with an opening remark delivered by Ambassador BooNam Shin, Climate Change Response Executive Director at KEA, Dr Apiradee Thammanomai, Director of Strategy and Planning Division, Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE), Thailand, as EE&C-SSN Coordinator, and Christopher G. Zamora, Senior Head of APAEC Department at ACE. 

The workshop featured presentations by AMS representatives, sharing their national policies, measures, plans, and strategies for promoting EE&C in the industry and transport sectors. Two experts in the transport and industry sectors were invited to give valuable perspectives to the participants. The Secretary General of the Korea Electric Vehicle Association (KEVA) highlighted the trends in the Electric Vehicle (EV) and E-Mobility Industry from domestic and international perspectives. In addition, the Director of the Climate Change Policy Division from KEA shared insights about Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Policies in Korea’s Industrial Sector. 

Photo 7. Experts’ Presentations from Representatives of KEVA (Left) and KEA (Right) 

The workshop continued with a roundtable discussion led by ACE, providing a platform for participants to exchange ideas and explore potential areas for regional cooperation. The discussion concluded with a consensus on the need for knowledge sharing, capacity building, and financial support to promote EE&C in the region. These steps are crucial for advancing EE&C in the industrial and transportation sectors and overcoming the challenges faced by AMS, such as limited awareness of EE&C technology, insufficient financial resources, and inadequate infrastructure. 

The ASEAN+3 Mitigation Cooperation Programme, implemented by ACE and KEA, funded by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) of the Republic of Korea, was initiated in 2009 to promote sustainable development and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the region. From 2021 to 2025, the ASEAN+3 Mitigation Cooperation Programme focuses on policy consultation and capacity building on policies and technologies to improve energy efficiency, especially in the industry, building, and transport sectors.