Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Dang Hoang An at the meeting (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Energy connection between ASEAN member countries isan important pillar that needs to be further strengthened to ensure energysecurity for the strong and sustainable development of the ASEAN Community,Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Dang Hoang An has said.
An made the statement at the 38th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM 38),themed “Energy transition toward sustainable development,” that took placeonline on November 19.
He highlighted the strong development of ASEAN over the last five decades,saying that 2020 marks five years of the formation and development of the ASEANEconomic Community, which plays a central role in dialogue and cooperation forpeace, security, and prosperity in the region.
He agreed with the theme of AMEM 38 because it demonstrates the goal ofdeveloping a sustainable, green, and clean ASEAN energy market.
An requested participants to focus on discussing and approving the ASEAN Planof Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase II (2021-2025), which proposesspecific targets and actions to promote energy transition, strengthenresilience through exchanges and deeper cooperation, and expand bilateral andmultilateral electricity trading.
He also asked for approval of the publication “The 6th ASEAN Energy Outlook(AEO6)”, which is hoped to provide policymakers with information and knowledgeabout regional trends and challenges in the field of energy, towardsencouraging all ASEAN member countries to actively participate in the process.
The Deputy Minister also noted that adopting the target on the proportion ofrenewable energy sources in the ASEAN energy structure is the foundation forpromoting the development and use of renewable energy in the region in the timeto come.
He also emphasised the need to propose policy initiatives to enhance theintegration of renewable energy into the ASEAN grid, towards stable futureenergy sources for the region.
It is necessary to propose specific measures and plans to further promotecooperation on energy efficiency and conservation and to develop humanresources in energy management, finance, and technology at different levels forpolicies on energy development diversification in the region, he said.
Attention should also be given to building mechanisms to attract investment indeveloping energy infrastructure and transmission lines, he added.
Ministers at the event witnessed the signing of an MoU on the implementation ofthe second phase of the Laos-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power IntegrationProject (LTMS-PIP), with the exchange capacity committed between the partiesincreasing to 300 MW from 2022.
In the framework of AMEM 38, the ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF) was heldonline on the same day, during which senior ASEAN policymakers andrepresentatives from global organisations and businesses discussed issuesrelating to public-private partnership (PPP) and solutions to energy security.
Enterprises, organisations, and individuals operating in the energy sectorprovided up-to-date information on ASEAN’s energy development trends andorientations, and sought opportunities to engage in or promote investment andbusiness activities in the region’s energy sector.
As part of the forum’s activities, the ASEAN Energy Awards 2020 will be held onthe evening of November 19, honouring outstanding businesses, organisations,and individuals making significant contributions to the development of ASEAN’senergy industry in the 2019-2020 period./.
VNA
