ASEAN’s Energy Transition: A Turning Point for Justice and Inclusion

As the global energy transition gains pace, there is a growing recognition that justice and inclusion must be at its core amid shifting trade dynamics and global trends. In ASEAN, this means putting people at the centre of energy policy, with a focus on Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI). Efforts to integrate GEDSI are emerging, and the upcoming ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2026–2030 offers a timely opportunity to advance GEDSI further.

For the first time, the region has explicitly embeds Just and Inclusive Energy Transition (JIET) principles as the five-year theme of regional energy cooperation. With ASEAN on track to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2030, and energy playing a central role in enabling that growth — the question now is: how can ASEAN move beyond high-level commitments and ensure that GEDSI becomes a practical and guiding element of its energy transition.

This op-ed is published on Bangkok Post. Read the full article here.