ASEAN energy ministers’ meeting kicks off in Bangkok

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (fifth from left) and ASEAN energy ministers (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Dang Hoang An is among ministers and high-ranking officials from the 10 ASEAN member states and eight partner countries (China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, India, New Zealand, the US and Russia) participating in the event.

Delivering the opening speech, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said the ASEAN region is facing many challenges in the field of energy.

Demand for energy in ASEAN member states has grown rapidly together with economic growth and social development, he noted, adding that this makes renewable energy likely to become the main source of power in the near future.

Developing the energy market, investing in energy and developing future energy technologies for fossil fuels and other energies are critical to regional energy security, the PM said.

This year’s meeting, which runs through September 6, focuses its discussion on developing technologies and fostering innovation in energy to make ASEAN more resilient in the era of energy transition, shifting from fossil fuels to clean and sustainable energy in the future.

The meeting of senior ASEAN energy officials was held on September 2 – 3 to prepare items on the agenda for the AMEM 37. The ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF) is also taking place on September 2 – 5 on the sidelines of the event.