Photo 1. Group photo with participants, ASEAN SPARKS Startups and ASEAN Member State representatives.
Jakarta, 7 May 2026 – The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) successfully organised the “ASEAN Clean Tech Forum: Empowering Diverse Clean Energy & Climate Tech Innovators” at the Hermitage Hotel, Jakarta, Indonesia. Hosted in a hybrid format, the regional forum served as a crucial multi-stakeholder platform designed to connect startup founders, policymakers, investors, and international partners to accelerate the commercialisation and scaling of clean technologies across Southeast Asia.
The forum brought together 82 in-person participants, comprising 43 men and 39 women, alongside an online audience of 221 participants, consisting of 123 men and 98 women. This diverse assembly represented a balanced mix of policymakers, green finance experts, international delegates, and pioneering cleantech entrepreneurs from across the region. The strong, near-equal representation of male and female participants underscored the forum's core commitment to fostering an inclusive and gender-responsive clean energy transition.
Photo 2. Opening remarks from Norazrin Rupadi, as the Representative of the Chair of the Project Steering Committee (top left), Saito Mizuki, the Co-Chair of the Project Steering Committee (top right) and Dato' Ir. Ts. Razib Dawood, Executive Director, ASEAN Centre for Energy (bottom).
The forum officially commenced with opening remarks from Norazrin Rupadi, Deputy Director, Energy Efficiency and Conservation Regulatory Section, Energy Commission Malaysia, representing Ir. Ts. Zulkiflee Umar, Director Technical, Policy, and Regulation Division, Energy Commission of Malaysia, as the Chair of the Project Steering Committee delivered welcoming remarks emphasising that establishing a connected cleantech ecosystem is essential to overcoming the persistent structural barriers faced by regional innovators.
Saito Mizuki, First Secretary, Mission of Japan to ASEAN, Co-Chair of the Project Steering Committee delivered special remarks highlighting Japan's steadfast partnership with ASEAN in fostering cleantech innovation and emphasising that the joint initiative provides a critical platform to bridge regional policy planning with international networks, build capacity, and scale clean energy solutions.
Dato' Ir. Ts. Razib Dawood, Executive Director, ACE delivered the keynote welcome address focusing on the scale of regional ambition. He noted that this project primarily aligns with the EE&C Outcome-Based Strategy (OBS) 5 to accelerate clean tech adoption. Highlighting the journey of regional innovators, Dato' celebrated the milestones of the ASEAN SPARKS startups, who successfully progressed through the Ignite, Catalyse, and Elevate incubation stages since May 2025, culminating in a pitching event at the 2025 ASEAN Energy Business Forum and a recent showcase at the Sustainable High City Technology (SusHi Tech) exhibition in Tokyo.
Following the opening remarks, the meeting proceeded to the session on Policy Insights on Clean Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship in ASEAN, which explored regional developments, emerging opportunities, and policy approaches to support the growth of clean technology ecosystems across ASEAN. The session also highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration between governments, industry, and innovation stakeholders to accelerate sustainable and inclusive economic development in the region.
Building an Inclusive and Gender-Responsive Policy to Strengthen the Cleantech Entrepreneurship in ASEAN
Photo 3. Presentation by Dewi Barnas, Senior Officer, ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC), ACE
Dewi Barnas, Senior Officer for APAEC at ACE, presented on APAEC’s role in driving clean energy entrepreneurship and innovation across ASEAN. She explained that APAEC 2026–2030 serves as the region's strategic framework to accelerate decarbonisation and support a just, inclusive energy transition through renewable energy, energy efficiency, and innovative financing. She also highlighted that the ASEAN Clean Tech Forum, alongside the project to enhance clean energy technology ecosystems and connectivity, actively fosters investments and supports regional climate innovators to help meet ASEAN's 2030 energy targets.
Photo 4. Presentation by Irma Ramadan, Senior Officer of Energy Efficiency and Conservation, ACE
Irma Ramadan, Senior Officer for Energy Efficiency and Conservation at the ASEAN Centre for Energy, presented on fostering the Cleantech Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem (CIEE) in ASEAN, highlighting the importance of clean technology in addressing climate change and supporting the region’s clean energy transition. She explained that while most ASEAN Member States have established regulatory frameworks and incentive mechanisms to support cleantech development, challenges remain in areas such as financing access, capacity building, and gender inclusivity. The ASEAN Clean Tech Forum aims to address these challenges and calls for a more equitable and coordinated regional approach to ensure a sustainable and inclusive cleantech ecosystem in ASEAN.
Photo 5. Panel Discussion, moderated by Zahra Aninda Pradiva, ACE
Moderated by Zahra Aninda Pradiva from ACE, the discussion explored the importance of developing inclusive and gender-responsive policies to strengthen cleantech entrepreneurship across ASEAN. The panel discussion was attended by expert panellists Thao Nguyen from the National Innovation Centre, Prof Johan Sulaeman from the Sustainable and Green Finance Institute, and Jitsai Santaputra from Youth for Energy Southeast Asia were joined by startup founders Sreypouv Tan of Agro Agape and Andi Rosita of GAWIREA, who shared perspectives on the challenges and opportunities in advancing a more inclusive cleantech ecosystem.
The session highlighted existing barriers faced by women and underrepresented groups in accessing financing, networks, and technical opportunities, while emphasising the need for stronger regional collaboration and targeted policy support to accelerate sustainable and equitable clean energy innovation in the region.
From Capital to Impact: How Funders Can Better Serve ASEAN's Diverse Clean Tech Innovators
Photo 6. Presentation from ASEAN SPARKS Startups
Session 2 started with pitch presentations from the Top 8 ASEAN SPARKS startups, featuring Sreypouv Tan from Agro Agape, Hai Ho from Alterno, Nguyet Vien Le from CAS Energy, Worapoj Chosen from Chosen Digital, Andi Rosita from GAWIREA, Joseph Valdez from Klimatech, Tania Callista from Pristinz, and Erlambang Ajidarma from Qarbotech. Their presentations highlighted the potential impact of their solutions on accelerating the clean energy transition and reducing carbon emissions, while underscoring the importance of integrating gender inclusivity values and social impact within their business models.
The presentations further demonstrated the growing role of startups and young entrepreneurs in advancing ASEAN’s clean technology ecosystem through innovative and community-oriented approaches. Participants also exchanged insights on the importance of strengthening access to financing, mentorship, and regional partnerships to support the long-term scalability and sustainability of cleantech enterprises across the region.
Photo 7. Panel Discussion, moderated by Irma Ramadan, ACE
Moderated by Irma Ramadan from ACE, the session explored the role of financing and investment in accelerating the growth of cleantech enterprises across the region. The panel featured expert venture capitalists Hien Minh Dao from Earth Venture Capital and Pang Thitirat Sittakaradej from ADB Ventures, alongside startup founders Worapoj Chosen of Chosen Digital, Joseph Valdez of Klimatech, and Tania Callista of Pristinz.
The panel discussion also served as a matchmaking platform between investors and ASEAN SPARKS startups, enabling both parties to identify potential collaborations, investment opportunities, and shared interests aligned with their respective needs and priorities. Participants exchanged perspectives on funding accessibility, investment readiness, and the importance of building an inclusive financing ecosystem to support calable and impactful clean energy solutions in ASEAN.
Scaling Clean Tech Innovation Across Borders: What ASEAN Can Adapt from Global Initiatives
Photo 8. Presentation by Dr. Noboru Zama, Industrial Development Expert, UNIDO (left), Presentation by Amelia Permata, Plug and Play (right)
Dr Noboru Zama from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) presented on UNIDO’s global approach to supporting inclusive climate technology ecosystems, highlighting the role of MSMEs in advancing the clean energy transition. He explained that UNIDO’s programmes, including the Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP) and the Accelerate-to-Demonstrate (A2D) Facility, support cleantech startups through capacity building, policy support, financing, and commercialisation. He also highlighted ASEAN SPARKS as a regional initiative jointly implemented with the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) to strengthen Southeast Asian clean energy innovation through mentorship and investor engagement, whilst emphasising the critical importance of ensuring inclusive participation for women, youth, and underserved communities.
Amelia Permata from Plug and Play presented on accelerating early-stage clean technology ventures into international markets by strengthening innovation ecosystems, startup acceleration, and cross-border partnerships. The presentation showcased examples of regional cleantech startups expanding internationally through strategic partnerships and joint ventures, while emphasising the importance of scalable business models, investment readiness, and collaborative innovation to support the commercialisation and growth of clean technology solutions in ASEAN and global markets.
Photo 9. Presentation by Dr. Jung-Ah Hwang, National Institute of Green Technology, South Korea (left), Presentation by Sumit Tated, Climate Collective Foundation (right)
Dr. Jung-Ah Hwang from the National Institute of Green Technology presented on leveraging multilateral cooperation to foster climate and clean technology innovation through ASEAN–Korea collaboration. She highlighted the growing importance of international cooperation in accelerating technology development, transfer, and deployment to support climate resilience and greenhouse gas reduction, in line with the Paris Agreement and outcomes from COP26 and COP28. She also shared case studies on offshore wind power development, carbon capture utilisation in Indonesia’s cement industry, and climate-resilient power systems, while emphasising the role of ASEAN–Korea partnerships in translating regional cooperation into practical and scalable climate action.
Sumit Tated from Climate Collective Foundation presented on bridging regional gaps to accelerate clean technology and climate entrepreneurship to lower the barriers for cross-border expansion, the Climate Collective Foundation actively implements dedicated startup support programmes across Southeast Asia and South Asia. The foundation has supported over 1,500 startups to date, helping early-stage clean tech and climate tech ventures scale their operations and secure vital post-programme funding. He highlighted the growing importance of ecosystem orchestration and collaboration in scale-up technology deployment to achieve deep decarbonisation, circular economy goals, and climate resilience in line with international targets.
Photo 10. Panel Discussion, moderated by Dr. Noboru Zama, UNIDO
Moderated by Dr. Noboru Zama, UNIDO brought together an expert lineup of panellists, including Brianna Losoya-Evora from the Sweef Institute, Vinutha Raju from the Massive Earth Foundation, Chieko Tanabe from ERIA, Hai Ho from Alterno, Nguyet Vien Le from CAS Energy, and Erlambang Ajidarma from Qarbotech.
The discussion highlighted the importance of cross-border collaboration, knowledge sharing, and international best practices in accelerating clean technology innovation across ASEAN. Panellists discussed ways to adapt global frameworks to local market conditions, support technology transfer, and address regulatory barriers to regional expansion. The session also underscored the funding, technical, and operational challenges faced by cleantech ventures, while emphasising the need for stronger collaboration, ecosystem coordination, and policy harmonisation to build a more connected and resilient green technology ecosystem in Southeast Asia.
Photo 11. Summary and Way Forward by Irma Ramadan, Senior Officer of Energy Efficiency and Conservation, ACE
Irma Ramadan highlighted strategic pathways to build an inclusive and high-impact ASEAN cleantech ecosystem by aligning policy, investment, and regional expansion. She stressed the need to remove systemic barriers for diverse founders and noted that early-stage ventures should match their growth stage with suitable funding sources, including grants and impact investment. She also emphasised that scaling across ASEAN requires stronger cross-border cooperation, mobile capital flows, and technical assistance. To sustain long-term impact, she called for stronger ecosystem coordination and collaborative initiatives such as the ASEAN SPARKS Elevate programme to support international partnerships and regional growth.
Photo 12. Closing Remarks from Norazrin Rupadi, Energy Commission Malaysia, representative of Ir. Ts. Zulkiflee Umar, Chair of the Project Steering Committee (left), and Naing Naing Linn, Head of EE&C Department, ACE (right).
The workshop concluded with closing remarks from Norazrin Rupadi as representative of the Chair of the Project Steering Committee and Naing Naing Linn from ACE. They celebrated the forum's productive outcomes, highlighting that achieving the APAEC 2026, 2030 targets, requires a thriving CIEE to bridge the gap between policy and technology. Ultimately, they noted that today's recommendations will directly shape reports on gender-responsive policies and energy regulations, fulfilling the APAEC EE&C mandate under OBS 5 to accelerate the regional deployment of clean technologies.
