Photo 1. 23rd AFOC Council Meeting Participants   

The 23rd Annual Meeting of the ASEAN Forum on Coal (AFOC) Council was co-hosted by the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) of Indonesia, from 7 to 8 May 2025 at Alana Hotel, Sentul, Bogor, Indonesia. Delegates from six (6) ASEAN Member States (AMS): Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand, participated in the meeting, with Timor Leste attending as an observer. Representatives from Dialogue Partners (DPs), international organisations (IOs), the ASEAN Secretariat, and ACE also joined the meeting, reaffirming their continued commitment and collaboration. 

Photo 2. Opening remarks from Indonesia as the Host country, Ida Nuryatin Finhari, Secretary of the Directorate General of Electricity of Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of Indonesia (left), and YBrs. Puan Siti Safinah binti Salleh, Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Commission of Malaysia and AFOC Chair (right). 

The meeting commenced with opening remarks by the Host Country, Ida Nuryatin Finhari, Secretary of the Directorate General of Electricity, MEMR, Indonesia. She highlighted the ongoing relevance of coal and gas in ensuring energy security, accessibility, and affordability in Indonesia.  

Building on the pertinent role of coal, YBrs. Puan Siti Safinah binti Salleh, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Energy Commission of Malaysia and Chair of AFOC Council further emphasised that cleaner coal technologies are no longer optional but a necessary path forward. Moreover, she also addressed the need for an energy transition that is effective, equitable, and inclusive for all. 

Photo 3. Opening remarks from Beni Suryadi, Senior Manager of APAEC and Strategic Partnership of ACE. 

As adjourned and highlighted by Beni Suryadi, Senior Manager of APAEC and Strategic Partnership Department at ACE, this year’s AFOC Council Meeting is pivotal, considering that the regional energy blueprint document, the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase 2: 2021 – 2025, is nearing its conclusion. Therefore, the meeting provides a momentum platform to not only review the progress since the 22nd AFOC Council Meeting, but to shape the future direction of ASEAN’s coal sector cooperation in the new APAEC 2026 – 2030 that considers a more responsible and cleaner coal value chain. 

To shape the direction and potential regional cooperation activities in the new APAEC, extensive presentations and discussions by ACE and Member States surrounding the past, present, and future of coal were conducted. 

Past: historical background of coal’s role as the main source of energy supply 

The meeting recalled that the availability, affordability and reliability of coal made it continue to serve as a dominant energy supply in ASEAN. Furthermore, coal mining activities also brought up revenues, employment, and regional development at the city and country levels, especially in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. 

Present: current challenges of coal utilisation 

However, with growing and continuous coal mining and utilisation activities, there is a global concern about the rise of carbon dioxide and methane emissions. Currently, 9 out of 10 AMS have committed to achieving either net zero or carbon neutrality by 2040, 2050, or 2060.​ Global pressures on coal phase has also pushed 3 out of 10 AMS have agreed to phase out coal, and 5 out of 10 AMS have agreed to start decommissioning or will not build new CFPP.  

Future: navigating the dynamic and uncertain future 

The Meeting recalled that with ASEAN’s abundant coal reserves, coal utilisation in ASEAN will continue to answer the growing demand and ensure energy security. Yet, as the world and the region move toward a net-zero or carbon-neutral future, coal retirement is inevitable. 

Against this backdrop, ASEAN Member States and ACE discussed the most suitable upcoming activities on coal, including a potential revamp of the bi-annual ASEAN Coal Awards. 

Several dialogue partners (DPs) and international organisations (IOs) also shared their views and plans for collaboration in ASEAN’s coal sector, namely, the Global Methane Hub, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), Indonesia Mining Association, Japan Carbon Frontier Organization (JCOAL), FutureCoal, China Energy Technology and Economics Research. Institute (CETERI), and the United States – ASEAN Business Council (US ABC). To name a few, cooperation ideas that were presented included having studies and capacity building exchange on regional cross-border carbon capture and utilisation (CCU), coal fleet decarbonisation, innovation in coal-based materials, and land rehabilitation using low-rank coal. 

Photo 4.  Online and Onsite Delegates and Representatives from DPs and IOs 

The Meeting concluded with closing remarks delivered on behalf of the AFOC Chair by Ir. Ts. Mohd Helmi bin Mohd Zaihan, Deputy Director of Energy Market Operation, Energy Commission Malaysia, who underscored AFOC’s evolving role in ASEAN’s energy transition and the importance of continued innovation and collaboration on clean coal technologies and CCUS. 

Photo 5. 23rd AFOC Council Meeting Day 2 Session 

Dr. Julian Ambassadur Shiddiq, Director of Mineral and Coal Program Development of MEMR, Indonesia and as the Host country representative, also reiterated the importance of coal in supporting ASEAN industries and economy, highlighting the need for an accelerated technological innovation and policy shift towards the sustainable coal value-chain. He also expressed hope for deeper collaboration and capacity building amid the new AFOC programme structure in the APAEC 2026-2030 framework. 

The meeting reaffirmed ASEAN’s shared commitment to balancing energy security, economic development, and environmental sustainability. Looking forward, AFOC will continue to serve as a strategic platform to drive regional dialogue, knowledge exchange, and coordinated action in promoting the responsible and sustainable use of coal in the ASEAN region, especially under the upcoming APAEC 2026 – 2030.