Photo 1. ASEAN Energy Ministers at the 44th AMEM.
The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) participated in the 44th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) and its Associated Meetings, held in Manila, Philippines, on 5–8 October 2026. The Meeting brought together ASEAN Energy Ministers, chaired by H.E. Sharon S. Garin, Secretary of the Department of Energy of the Philippines, with H.E. Dr. Tan See Leng, Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) of Singapore, as Vice-Chair. Also in attendance were H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, and Dato’ Ir. Ts. Razib Dawood, Executive Director of ACE.
Guided by the Philippines’chairship theme, “Navigating Our Future Together,” the Meeting reviewed the first year of implementation of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2026–2030 and provided ministerial guidance across four strategic pillars: Securing People, Powering Jobs, Fostering Innovation, and Building Resiliency.
Dato’ Ir. Ts. Razib Dawood, as the Head of Delegations of ACE, reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to supporting ASEAN Member States in advancing regional energy cooperation and accelerating the implementation of 2026’s Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs) and annual energy priorities.
Photo 2. ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) at the 44th AMEM and Associated Meetings.
What’s Happening during the 44th AMEM?
The 44thAMEM formally commenced with a joint opening ceremony with the ASEAN Energy Business Forum 2026(AEBF-26) on 7 October 2026. Following that, the meeting proceeds to acknowledged and endorsed the completion of the 2026 PED, focusing on the operationalisation of the Enhanced APG MOU, which is the development of APG Task Forces’ Workplans and the progressof ASEAN submarine power cable framework.
Alongside the PED, the Meeting also endorsedthe seven (7)energy annual energy priority deliverables under the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN Chairship, namely:
- The 9th ASEAN Energy Outlook (AEO9)
- ASEAN Nuclear Power Plant Financing and Human Resources Development Study
- Innovative Business Models for Deploying Industrial-scale Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCU/S) Projects across the ASEAN Region
- Upstream Oil and Gas Sector Fiscal Benchmarking Study
- Sustainable ASEAN Energy Management Certification Scheme (SAEMAS)
- Strategic White Paper on Accelerating Battery Energy Storage Systems for Variable Renewable Energy (vRE) Integration
- ASEAN Cross-border Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) Market and Financial Assessment.
44th AMEM Associated Meetings
As part of the 44th AMEM agenda, several Associated Meetings were convened, including the 20th East Asia Summit (EAS) Energy Ministers Meeting, attended by ASEAN Energy Ministers together with Australia, the People’s Republic of China, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, and the United States of America (US); the 5th AMEM-US; and the 23rd ASEAN+3 Ministers on Energy Meeting with China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. Associated Meetings with International Organisations were also convened, notably with the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). These gatherings further underscored the region’s growing partnerships and shared aspirations toward a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.
The Centre extended its appreciation to the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship for its leadership in advancing the region’s energy security, connectivity and transition agenda.
Launch of the ASEAN School of Regulation
Photo 3. H.E. Sharon S. Garin and YBhg. Dato’ Sri Haji Mad Zaidi bin Mohd Karli, Secretary General, Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation & SOE Leader of Malaysia, at the Launch of the ASEAN School of Regulation.
The ASEAN School of Regulation was launched at AEBF-26 on 7 October 2026, marking a major step in strengthening the regulatory institutions and regional capabilities to translate ASEAN’s energy ambitions into implementable, investable and interconnected energy systems.As ASEAN’s dedicated platform for regulatory capacity building, peer learning, and institutional excellence, the ASR, guided by its motto, “Shaping Regulation. Powering ASEAN,” will support the implementation of APG and other relevant programme areas under APAEC 2026–2030. (read more)
ASEAN Energy Awards 2026 Awarding Ceremony
Photo 4.Awardees of the ASEAN Women in Energy Excellence Award 2026.
The Gala Dinner and Awarding Ceremony of the ASEAN Energy Awards 2026 took placein7 October 2026. As ASEAN’s highest regional recognition for excellence in the energy sector, the Awards honour projects, organisations, and individuals that demonstrate excellence and innovation, promoting wider adoption of successful practices in ASEAN.The 2026 Awards recognised 99 awardees across five (5) award categories: (1) ASEAN Renewable Energy Project Awards; (2) ASEAN Energy Efficiency and Conservation Best Practices Awards; (3) ASEAN Excellence in Energy Management by Individual; (4) ASEAN Women in Energy Excellence Award; and (5) ASEAN Excellence in Connectivity and Interconnection Project & Initiative. (read more)
Launch of the 9th ASEAN Energy Outlook
Photo 5. ASEAN Energy Ministers with the 9th ASEAN Energy Outlook.
Following its endorsement at the 44th AMEM, the 9th ASEAN Energy Outlook (AEO9) was officially launched at AEBF-26 on 8 October 2026. The launch was followed by a panel discussion on ASEAN’s energy demand and supply outlook to 2060, progress towards APAEC 2026–2030 targets, and pathways to scale up renewable energy, enhance energy efficiency, and accelerate decarbonisation.The session also featured a presentation of the AEO9 Digital Executive Summary by Dr. Zulfikar Yurnaidi, Manager of Energy Modelling and Policy Planning (MPP) at ACE. As ACE’s flagship publication, the AEO9 serves as an evidence-based reference for ASEAN’s long-term energy planning, investment, and regional cooperation towards 2050.
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