Photo 1. (From left to right) Dato’ Ir. Ts. Razib Dawood, Executive Director of the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), Ruby D Guzman, Assistant Director of the Department of Energy (DOE) Philippines, and Francis M. Peñaflor, Acting Director of the Resource-Based Industries Service (RBIS) of the Philippine Board of Investments (BOI), following the leaders’ statement session at the ASEAN SAF Convergence Forum, held as part of AEBF-26 in Manila, Philippines.
Manila, 06 October 2026 – In support of the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN Chairship, the Philippine Board of Investments (BOI) and the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), in coordination with the Department of Energy (DOE) and Department of Transportation (DOTr), organized the First ASEAN Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Convergence Forum with the theme Building the Future Regional SAF Hub as a parallel event to the 26th ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF-26) on 06 October 2026 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Manila, Philippines.
The Forum aims to contribute to shaping a resilient and sustainable SAF ecosystem that strengthens ASEAN’s decarbonization agenda, enhances energy security, and supports long-term economic competitiveness. At the inaugural ASEAN SAF Convergence Forum, ASEAN highlighted the inclusion of SAF development in the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2026–2030.
The Forum opened with welcoming remarks from Philippine Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Dr. Ceferino S. Rodolfo and Philippine Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin, reaffirming the Philippines’ commitment to advancing sustainable aviation fuel development through regional cooperation.
Photo 2. (Left to right) H.E. Sharon S Garin, Secretary of Energy of the Philippines and Dr Ceferino S. Rodolfo, DTI Undersecretary and Managing Head of BOI, delivering opening remarks.
Philippine Trade Undersecretary Rodolfo highlighted the contribution of SAF as the kind of development the ASEAN can pursue as part of its regional cooperation. “SAF is an industry that attracts investment, creates jobs, strengthens supply chains, captures greater value from our own resources, and positions ASEAN not merely as a consumer of sustainable fuels, but as a producer and a leader in one of the most important transitions in global aviation,” said Usec. Rodolfo.
Philippine Energy Secretary Sharon Garin highlighted that “policy can set the direction and create the conditions for progress. But, policy cannot exist in a vacuum. In turn, investment, innovation, and partnership must transform policy into reality.” Secretary Garin also emphasized that ASEAN should advance intra-region energy trade and cooperation to enhance fuel security. She also underscored that the diversity of energy systems and resource endowments across Southeast Asia requires member states to adopt flexible and nationally appropriate transition pathways.
Held as part of the 26th ASEAN Energy Business Forum 2026 (AEBF-26), the ASEAN SAF Convergence Forum brought together policymakers, regulators, producers, financial institutions, and aviation industry representatives from ASEAN and beyond. Discussions covered sustainable feedstock supply, production pathways, investment readiness, market prospects, book-and-claim approaches, and credible environmental claims.
The discussions recognized that ASEAN Member States are at different stages of SAF development, with varying resources, industrial capabilities, and market conditions. Regional cooperation can help Member States share lessons and solutions, while identifying areas where collective action could strengthen SAF planning and development across ASEAN.
Photo 3. Francis M. Peñaflor, Acting Director of the Resource-Based Industries Service (RBIS) of the Philippine Board of Investments (BOI).
Francis M. Peñaflor, Acting Director of the Resource-Based Industries Service (RBIS) of the Philippine Board of Investments (BOI), highlighted ASEAN’s potential to become a globally competitive SAF production hub, supported by its abundant feedstocks and growing aviation demand.
“By working together to reduce investment barriers, strengthen project readiness, and build investor confidence in regional SAF demand and supply, ASEAN can position itself as a competitive global hub for sustainable aviation fuel,” said Mr. Peñaflor.
The Philippine Board of Investments (BOI) is at the forefront of efforts to develop a competitive SAF ecosystem in the Philippines, including the delivery of a comprehensive investment facilitation services for local pioneers SAFAsia Inc. and ALCOM. By helping create the conditions for greater investment, production and industry partnerships, the BOI seeks to strengthen the Philippines’ role in the emerging regional SAF value chain and contribute to ASEAN’s broader ambition of becoming a compelling market and manufacturing hub for sustainable aviation fuel.
Photo 4. Ruby D Guzman, Assistant Director of the Department of Energy (DOE) Philippines
Assistant Director Ruby D. Guzman, speaking on behalf of Philippine Energy Undersecretary Alessandro O. Sales and the Department of Energy (DOE), reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to advancing SAF development through continued ASEAN energy cooperation.
“ASEAN Member States are at different stages, but through APAEC 2026–2030, regional cooperation can help us exchange experience, address shared challenges, and create the conditions needed to support a competitive and sustainable SAF industry,” said Assistant Director Guzman.
The Department of Energy also highlighted the importance of building on existing ASEAN initiatives, including work under the ASEAN Transport Sectoral Plan 2026–2030, the development of a regional SAF roadmap, and the ASEAN SAF 2050 Outlook. Together, these efforts can help connect aviation priorities with the region’s sustainable feedstock and fuel production potential.
Photo 5. Dato’ Ir. Ts. Razib Dawood, Executive Director of ACE
Dato’ Ir. Ts. Razib Dawood, Executive Director of the ASEAN Centre for Energy, emphasised ACE’s commitment to supporting Member States through evidence-based analysis and cross-sector cooperation.
“The discussions today have helped clarify where further cooperation is needed to advance SAF in ASEAN. Under APAEC 2026–2030, ACE will support Member States by strengthening the regional evidence base, facilitating exchanges across government and industry, and building stronger links across the energy, transport, agriculture, environment, and investment sectors,” said Dato’ Razib. “Guided by Member States’ priorities and building on existing ASEAN initiatives, this work will help inform policy decisions and strengthen the foundations for coordinated SAF development across the region.”
ACE welcomes further collaboration aligned with the ASEAN Renewable Energy Strategic Pathway and the APAEC aspirational target of achieving a 30% renewable energy share by 2030. Through transparent and neutral cooperation, the partnership will strengthen ASEAN’s understanding of sustainable feedstocks, production pathways, supply chains, costs, and the enabling conditions for SAF development, supporting decisionmakers as they assess options for their respective countries.
