Dr Nuki Agya Utama, Executive Director of the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), urged strong collaboration through the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) to address critical challenges and opportunities in energy security, resilience, and sustainability, in his special remarks at the 3rd AZEC Senior Officials’ Meeting (ASOM3). 

Photo 1. Photo Session of the 3^rd AZEC Senior Officials Meeting (ASOM3) 

ASOM3 was chaired by Japan’s ASOM member, Shinichi Kihara, the Director-General for Energy and Environmental Policy, Agency for Natural Resource and Energy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Japan.  

In his opening remarks, Shinichi highlighted the progress and plans of AZEC, including the previous year’s AZEC Ministerial Meeting and ASOM, as well as the plan to hold the 2nd AZEC Ministerial Meeting in Indonesia including the launch of Asia Zero Economy Center. 

Representing the Host Country, Santisouk Phimphachanh, Acting Director General, the Department of Energy Policy and Planning, Ministry of Energy and Mines, Lao PDR, provided the first special remarks. She highlighted the potential of AZEC in supporting the energy transition activities in Asia, including Lao PDR and other ASEAN member states. 

Dr Nuki, in his special remarks, noted the regional targets of energy efficiency and renewable energy in ASEAN as part of the energy transition. He stressed the importance of emerging technologies, such as the CCUS and hydrogen, and financial support, including through the AZEC initiative, in accelerating the energy transition.  

Building upon the strong collaboration with AZEC members, Japan and Australia, he highlighted the potential of elevating AZEC and its activities to the benefit of Asia as a whole, through capacity building and project financing. He expressed the commitment of ACE to serve as the catalyst, knowledge hub, and think tank, in collaboration with AZEC initiatives and institutions. 

Photo 2. Dr Nuki Delivered Special Remarks

ASOM3 discussed several topics and plans of AZEC. These include the three sectoral initiatives on decarbonisation in power, transport, and industry sectors; green transformation (GX) policies of Japan as a policy tool to promote investment in decarbonisation projects; programs to be included in the soon-to-be-launched Asia Zero Emission Center, the draft joint statement of the 2nd AZEC Ministerial Meeting, and the formation of AZEC Advocacy Group. 

Among many topics raised during the discussion, several highlights include coal-fired power plant repurposing, also as part of the circular economy, incentives for energy efficiency projects, critical minerals, and the need for policy support. Addressing this, Dr Nuki provided key highlights from the region, including the recent launch of the position paper on coal. 

Through strengthened cooperation, pragmatic approaches, and a commitment to shared learning, ACE is committed to collaborating with partners, including AZEC, to achieve the vision of a resilient, secure, and sustainable energy future.