Photo 1. Group photo of the ASEAN Forum on Coal (AFOC) delegates at the 24th AFOC Council Meeting.
The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) successfully organised the 24th ASEAN Forum on Coal (AFOC) Council Meeting which was held virtually on 7 May 2026 and hosted by the Department of Energy (DOE), Philippines. Chaired by Indonesia as the AFOC Chair, the meeting brought together delegates from six (6) ASEAN Member States, alongside representatives from International Organisations and Dialogue Partners, reaffirming AFOC's role as the region's platform for promoting a responsible and cleaner coal value chain under the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2026–2030 Programme Area No. 3: Clean Coal Transformation (CCTR). Furthermore, the meeting also aimed to review progress of milestones in 2026 and discuss strategic directions for ASEAN's coal sector under APAEC 2026–2030.
Ahead of the AFOC Council Meeting, two (2) AFOC Associated Meetings were convened. On 5 May, the Online Workshop on ASEAN Future Coal and Decarbonisation Strategies in Energy Transition was convened, featuring representatives from the ASEAN Member States, coal mining companies, and coal-power plant utilities across the region. On 6 May, the Board of Judges (BOJ) Meeting for the ASEAN Coal Awards was held to discuss proposed enhancements to the Awards framework, ensuring continuity while progressively aligning with the new CCTR direction under APAEC 2026–2030.
The Meeting commenced with welcoming remarks from Undersecretary Alessandro O. Sales, Department of Energy (DOE) of the Philippines, who underscored the importance of the Meeting in aligning national efforts with regional energy commitments. Dedi Supriyanto, Coordinator of Investment & Cooperation Development for Mineral & Coal, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR), Indonesia, as the AFOC Chair, delivered remarks, emphasising that energy security must be continuously reinforced through sound policies, strategic planning, and enhanced regional cooperation to ensure affordability, resilience, and sustainability. He further underscored the relevance of AFOC in supporting a just, inclusive, and realistic energy transition and looked forward to APAEC 2026–2030 in advancing an equitable low-carbon future while respecting national circumstances. Beni Suryadi, Senior Manager of APAEC and Strategic Partnership at ACE, highlighted that the Meeting's discussions would collectively shape the coal sector's future trajectory under APAEC 2026–2030, supporting a more sustainable and secure regional energy transition.
Following that, the meeting discussed follow-up actions and strategic directions in the coal sector and exchanged views on recent developments in CCTR and the implications of the evolving geopolitical situation in the Middle East for regional energy security.
Participants also received updates on the Philippines' 2026 ASEAN Energy Priority Deliverables related to the coal sector. These included the 9th ASEAN Energy Outlook (AEO9), presented by Dr Zulfikar Yurnaidi, Head of Energy Modelling and Policy Planning (MPP) at ACE, and the ASEAN CCUS Assessment and Business Model Study, presented by Suwanto, Head of Fossil Fuels, Hydrocarbon, and Minerals (FOM) at ACE. Both deliverables are scheduled to be finalised and launched during the 44th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) in the Philippines.
The meeting then reviewed and discussed the progress of activities to promote a responsible, cleaner coal value chain that aligns with carbon neutrality goals and development under the APAEC 2026-2030. Led by Indonesia as the AFOC Chair, the discussion covered insights into ASEAN’s future coal landscape in the energy transition, as well as proposed activities to be conducted in 2027 for CCTR under APAEC 2026-2030. The discussion session further aligned Member States’ perspectives on the concept of a just coal transition and the role of coal within ASEAN's pathway towards carbon neutrality.
In the Dialogue Partners and International Organisations session, the meeting received updates on progress and plans for collaboration with ASEAN under the APAEC 2026–2030 Programme Area No. 3: CCTR. Representatives from the Global Methane Hub (GMH), UN Office for Project Services Energy Transition Partnership (UNOPS ETP), Japan Carbon Frontier Organization (JCOAL), the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK FCDO), and the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) of India shared their respective initiatives, experiences and future plans. The session highlighted the importance of aligning the upcoming initiatives with ASEAN's priorities and strategic direction for the coal sector under APAEC 2026–2030.
In closing the meeting, Alvaine N. Ibarrola, OIC-Assistant Director, Energy Resource Development Bureau (ERDB), DOE Philippines, highlighted the productive discussions on clean coal transformation, emerging technologies, and the importance of balancing energy security, sustainability, and economic development. He reaffirmed AFOC's role as a platform for strategic dialogue and partnerships to advance practical and inclusive solutions for ASEAN's energy future.
Dedi Supriyanto, as the AFOC Chair, expressed appreciation for the active participation of all delegates, noting that the meeting had produced important recommendations and action plans to be reported to the 44th Senior Officials Meeting on Energy (SOME). He reaffirmed his confidence in AFOC's continued role in strengthening regional energy security, resilience, and cooperation.
The outcomes of the 24th AFOC Council Meeting and its Associated Meetings will collectively advance ASEAN's path toward a resilient and cleaner ASEAN energy system, underpinned by the strategic priorities of APAEC 2026–2030.
