Photo 1. Joint Opening Ceremony of the 42^nd ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM-42) and Its Associated Meetings and the 24^th ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF-24)

Vientiane, 26 September 2024 – The 42^nd ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM-42) and Its Associated Meetings and the 24^th ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF-24) officially commenced today with a joint opening ceremony in Vientiane, Lao PDR, organised by the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE). Hosted by the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM), Lao PDR, this opening ceremony marks a critical milestone in ASEAN’s collective efforts to advance regional energy security, accessibility, affordability, and sustainability.

The ceremony witnessed the attendance of all 10 Energy Ministers from ASEAN Member States, from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam, underscoring the high-level political commitment to address the region’s pressing energy challenges and opportunities.

During the opening remarks, H.E. Phosay Sayasone, Minister of Energy and Mines (MEM), Lao PDR, stressed the importance of the region’s cooperation in ensuring a sustainable energy future for ASEAN, stating “Today, I am delighted to be part of the gathering of high-level leaders from ASEAN Member States, Dialogue Partners, and experts in our energy sector. Under Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024, this year’s theme is ” ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience ” highlighting the significant role of ASEAN energy integration in fostering economic and social development of the region, while also addressing climate change and advancing the transition towards cleaner energy. As we approach the final phase of the APAEC Phase 2 work plan set for 2025, it is essential that we reflect on our accomplishments and the path forward to achieve ASEAN’s shared goals.”

H.E. Phosay Sayasone continued, “In the coming two days, through the 42nd AMEM and AEBF-24, I am confident that, in addition to achieving productive outcomes, we will further strengthen regional cooperation to ensure energy security and sustainable future for everyone in the community.”

The AMEM-42 will focus on reviewing and advancing the implementation of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2021-2025: Phase II. Meanwhile, the AEBF-24 will promote the development of ASEAN energy sector, becoming a high-level platform for information exchange and cooperation opportunities in advancing the energy security, accessibility, affordability, and sustainability in the region.

This joint event marks a pivotal moment in ASEAN’s energy landscape as the region works toward achieving the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC).

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About ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE)

Established on 1 January 1999, the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) is an intergovernmental organisation within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) structure that represents the 10 ASEAN Member States’ (AMS) interests in the energy sector. ACE supports the implementation of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC), a blueprint for ASEAN energy sector. The Centre is guided by a Governing Council composed of Senior Officials on Energy from each AMS and a representative from the ASEAN Secretariat as an ex-officio member.

The three key roles of ACE:

• As a catalyst to unify and strengthen ASEAN energy cooperation and integration by implementing relevant capacity building programmes and projects to assist the AMS develop their energy sector.
• As the ASEAN energy data centre and knowledge hub to provide a knowledge repository for the AMS.
• As an ASEAN energy think tank to assist the AMS by identifying and surfacing innovative solutions for ASEAN’s energy challenges on policies, legal & regulatory frameworks and technologies.

Keeping the region’s improvement, sustainable and harmless to the ecosystem is a fundamental concern of the ASEAN energy sector. Hosted by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of Indonesia, ACE’s office is located in Jakarta, Indonesia. For more information on ACE website: aseanenergy.org

For further information, please contact:

Aurelia Syafina, Communications Team at ACE: [email protected]