Photo 1. The ASEAN Energy Reception 2025 was held in Tugu Kunstkring Paleis in Jakarta, Indonesia, 18 February 2025.  

The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) Malaysia, co-hosted the ASEAN Energy Reception on 18 February 2025, in Tugu Kunstkring Paleis, Jakarta, Indonesia. Supported by the Government of Norway through the ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project (ACCEPT), the event convened approximately 50 high-level representatives of the ASEAN Member States, H.E. Dr Kao Kim Hourn (the Secretary-General of ASEAN), and ambassadors of the ASEAN partners. With ASEAN’s regional energy blueprint—the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase II: 2021-2025—enters its final implementation year, the reception provided a timely opportunity to explore key insights and emerging trends of ASEAN’s energy sector in 2025.  

Photo 2. H.E. Dr Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN (left), and Dato’ Ir. Ts. Razib Dawood, Executive Director of ACE (right) at the ASEAN Energy Reception 2025.
Photo by: ASEAN Secretariat

In attendance were high-level dignitaries including H.E. Dr Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Kjell Tormod Pettersen, Norway Ambassador to ASEAN, H.E. Tiffany McDonald, Ambassador of Australia to ASEAN, H.E. Lee Jangkeun, Ambassador of South Korea to ASEAN, H.E. Sujiro Seam, Ambassador of the EU to ASEAN, H.E. Sarah Tiffin, Ambassador of the UK to ASEAN, Mr Fu Fengshan, Charge d’Affaires of the Chinese Mission to ASEAN, Mr Asdirhyme bin Abdul Rasib, Undersecretary of Sustainable Energy of PETRA Malaysia, and Dato’ Ir. Ts. Razib Dawood, Executive Director of ACE.  

Photo 3. H.E. Kjell Tormod Pettersen, Ambassador of Norway to ASEAN, delivering his remarks. 

H.E. Kjell Tormod Pettersen, Ambassador of Norway to ASEAN, delivered remarks. Highlighting the 10th anniversary of ASEAN-Norway cooperation, he reaffirmed Norway’s strong commitment in supporting ASEAN’s energy transition, particularly through the ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project (ACCEPT). As the project enters its second phase, Norway, through ACCEPT, remains a key partner in advancing ASEAN’s regional energy transition efforts. 

Photo 4. Asdirhyme bin Abdul Rasib, Undersecretary of Sustainable Energy of PETRA Malaysia, delivering his remarks. 

Asdirhyme bin Abdul Rasib, Undersecretary of Sustainable Energy of PETRA Malaysia, addressed the gathering, marking the reception as a valuable platform for dialogue and collaboration among key energy players in the ASEAN region. He also highlighted Malaysia’s role as ASEAN Chair of 2025. Under the theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, Malaysia’s Chairmanship will set the energy sector’s focus on “Powering ASEAN: Bridging Boundaries, Building Prosperity”. He underscored Malaysia’s emphasis on clean energy transition, energy security, and regional integration.  

Photo 5. H.E. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, delivering the main address of the night. 

Following Asdirhyme’s remarks, the main address was delivered by H.E. Dr Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, who touched upon ACE’s role as the cornerstone of ASEAN’s regional energy strategy. He noted that strengthening ACE means enhancing the region’s institutions capacity in the energy sector, ensuring ASEAN maintains leadership in setting its energy agenda and priorities. The ASEAN Secretariat will continue to guide ACE in fostering regional cooperation and provide the expertise needed to navigate the region’s dynamic energy landscape. He concluded his remarks by calling upon all ambassadors, Dialogue Partners (DPs), industry leaders, and energy stakeholders in ASEAN to continue close collaboration with the ASEAN Secretariat and ACE moving forward. 

Photo 6. Dato Ir. Ts. Raizb Dawood, Executive Director of ACE, presenting ASEAN Energy Priorities 2025.  

Dato Ir. Ts. Razib Dawood, Executive Director of ACE, delivered remarks and introduced the ASEAN Energy Priorities 2025. He noted that as the current APAEC cycle approaches its completion, ACE has been working closely with ASEAN Member States to develop APAEC 2026-2030. With ASEAN’s energy demand project to increase by three times in 2050, regional collaboration continues to strengthen energy security, exemplified by the success of initiatives such as the Lao PDR-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project (LTMS-PIP), which has reinforced the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) as a necessity. Highlighting ACE’s flagship publication, the 8th ASEAN Energy Outlook (AEO8), he noted that ASEAN can achieve sustainability and a low-carbon energy system through collective efforts.  

Photo 7. Dato’ Ir. Ts. Razib Dawood, Executive Director of ACE (left) and H.E. Dr Kao Kim Hourn, Secreteray General of ASEAN (right)  at the ASEAN Energy Reception 2025.
Photo by: ASEAN Secretariat

Photo 8. Dato’ Ir. Ts. Razib Dawood, Executive Director of ACE (left) and Ir. Wanhar, Alternate Senior Official on Energy (SOE) Leader of Indonesia (right) at the ASEAN Energy Reception 2025.  

To close his remarks, Dato’ Razib reaffirmed Malaysia’s priorities as ASEAN Chair in 2025, with a strong focus on inclusivity and sustainability. Key milestones include two Priority Economic Deliverables (PED), which are the signing of the Enhanced APG MOU and the development of APAEC 2060-2030, as well as annual priorities in the energy efficiency and renewable energy sectors.  

Moving forward, ACE will continue to drive regional cooperation and strengthen partnerships. The emerging trends, key insights, and 2025 energy priorities discussed at the reception will serve as a foundation for sustained collaboration between ACE, ASEAN Member States, and international partners in shaping ASEAN’s energy future.