Photo 1. Group Photo of the Participants 

 The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), supported by the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF), officially set the kick-off meeting for the Enhancement of Clean Energy Technology Ecosystem and Its Connectivity in ASEAN on 16 January 2025. This meeting aims to officially establish Project Steering Committee (PSC), by introducing the project activities and timeline, discussing the PSC roles and electing its Chairpersons. The kick-off meeting was attended by 31 participants, comprising the nominated PSC members, ASEAN Energy Efficiency and Conservation Sub-Sector Network (EE&C–SSN) Focal Points, Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) of Japan, JAIF Management Team, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), and ASEAN Secretariat. The attendance demographics were 68% male and 32% female. 

Photo 2. Opening Remarks by Dr Apiradee Thammanomai, EE&C-SSN Coordinator 

Dr Apiradee Thammanomai, Director of the Strategy and Planning Division of the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE) of Thailand, as EE&C–SSN Coordinator, underlines the important role of this project, stating “This project plays a critical role in advancing our goals of energy security, affordability, and sustainability while contributing meaningfully to the global fight against climate change by fostering innovation, supporting clean tech in MSMEs, and strengthening partnership across the region and beyond”. 

Photo 3. Project Introduction by Dr Zulfikar Yurnaidi, ACE 

The project was introduced by Dr Zulfikar Yurnaidi, Acting Head of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Department of ACE, providing a comprehensive overview of the project’s scope. Branded as the ASEAN Accelerator Programme, the initiative aims to scale transformative energy-climate solutions by facilitating investments and business growth within the Cleantech Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem (CIEE) across ASEAN Member States (AMS). Aligning with Outcome-based Strategies (OBS) 2 in the EE&C Programme Area (PA), OBS 6 in the Renewable Energy (RE) PA, and OBS 5 in the Regional Energy Policy and Planning (REPP) PA of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC), the project aims to expand private sector participation in EE&C activities strengthen RE information and training, and attract investment to accelerate energy infrastructure growth. Key programme outputs include the Accelerator Programme, CIEE policy and regulatory recommendations, and the expansion of network development. 

Photo 4. Enhancing the Climate Technology Innovation Ecosystem in ASEAN by Kang Sungho, UNIDO 

Building on this foundation, the meeting continued with a presentation from Kang Sungho, Senior Climate Finance Innovation Expert at UNIDO, titled Enhancing the Climate Technology Innovation Ecosystem in ASEAN. The presentation complements the project introduction, highlighting UNIDO’s strategic role as ACE’s implementation partner in advancing climate technology innovation across the region. It outlined key areas of technical support, including the mapping of climate technology innovations, targeted assistance for startups, and efforts to strengthen connectivity within the regional climate tech ecosystem. 

Photo 5. Introduction of the Project Steering Committee by Tung Phuong, ACE 

The meeting proceeded with an introduction to the role of the PSC by Tung Phuong, Senior Officer APAEC at ACE. The meeting discussed the responsibilities of PSC members and the chairperson, emphasising the committee’s pivotal role in guiding the project’s direction. The chairperson was elected by consensus, with Zulkiflee Umar, Senior Deputy Director of the Energy Efficiency Operations Unit from the Energy Commission of Malaysia, appointed to lead the committee. 

Photo 6. Closing Remarks from the Chairperson and the Co-Chair of the Project Steering Committee 

Speaking on behalf of the newly elected chairperson, Norazrin Rupadi underscored the collective commitment required to drive the initiative, saying “Let us carry the momentum from this meeting forward, embracing our collective responsibilities to advance energy efficiency, climate resilience, and economic growth. Together, we can achieve the ambitious goal of this initiative and create a brighter sustainable future for ASEAN”. In closing, Mizuki Saito, the First Secretary of Mission of Japan to ASEAN, as the Co-Chair of the Project Steering Committee, expressed her aspirations for the project, remarking “I hope that we can make concrete outputs that can continue beyond this project”. 

The Enhancement of Clean Energy Technology Ecosystem and Connectivity in ASEAN initiative seeks to accelerate transformative energy-climate solutions by driving investments and fostering business growth within the cleantech innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem (CIEE) across AMS. Supported by the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF), this two-year program, running from Q4 2024 to Q2 2026, aims to strengthen capacity-building efforts to achieve a low-carbon future. The programme is overseen by PSC from the ASEAN EE&C-SSN and METI Japan, with ACE serving as the implementing agency in partnership with UNIDO. The programme’s main beneficiaries include Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), key stakeholders within the CIEE, ASEAN Energy Focal Points, academia, and the broader public. 

For more information, please visit our ASEAN Accelerator Programme page.