The Inception Meeting of ASEAN-Japan Energy Efficiency Partnership (AJEEP) under the SOME-METI Work Programme 2022-2023 was held in Bangkok, Thailand in hybrid format on 23 – 24 August 2022. Energy Efficiency and Conservation Sub Sector Network (EE&C-SSN) convened to discuss AJEEP’s Scheme 4, Scheme 5, and Energy Conservation Workshop under AJEEP (ECAP).

Mr. Watcharin Booyarit, Director of Strategy and Planning Division, DEDE Thailand as EE&C-SSN Coordinator and Host Country, stated, “This meeting will play a significant role in shaping the foundation of energy management system in ASEAN over the coming years, and comments from each stakeholder will be crucial.”

In 2021, the Inception Meeting of AJEEP was held on 26 –27 July, focusing on Scheme 2 and Scheme 3. This year, the focus of the meeting was on the new Schemes 4 and 5. Scheme 4 is the development of Sustainable ASEAN Energy Management Certification Scheme (SAEMAS), while Scheme 5 is Capacity Building on Policy and Technology towards Carbon Neutrality (CN) in Buildings, Transport, and Industry Sector.

“These new schemes of AJEEP are crucial in supporting the implementation of ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase II 2021-2025, particularly in achieving energy intensity reduction target,” said Dr. Nuki Agya Utama, Executive Director of the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE). “Thus, we hope that cooperation activities through AJEEP Scheme 4 and 5 will be welcomed with support, enthusiasm, and commitment by all Member States.”

Mr. Motofusa Murakami, Managing Director, Energy Conservation Center, Japan (ECCJ) also emphasised the importance of the new schemes in supporting APAEC Phase II, stating that,“These two new schemes have been studied over the last year to meet new needs for ASEAN in order to conform to APAEC Phase II.”

Scheme 4 and Scheme 5 will proceed towards the same goals: (i) establish SAEMAS in order to introduce advanced energy management across ASEAN, and (ii) create CN/EE&C projects in factory/building.

Moving forward, ACE and ECCJ will work closely to implement Scheme 4 and Scheme 5 of AJEEP. On behalf of ACE’s Executive Director, Mr. Christopher Zamora as Senior Manager of APAEC expressed his hopes for the ASEAN-Japan partnership. “We hope that through this activity, the cooperation between ASEAN and the government of Japan can be further deepened and strengthened.”Contact

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