Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili
KUALA LUMPUR: The 33th Asean Ministers on Energy and Associated Meetings (AMEM), which ended yesterday, endorsed the Asean Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) in order to achieve energy security, accessibility and sustainability for the region.
Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water, Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, said APAEC was an important document that would guide and enable Asean countries to pool their sources in the next 10 years.
“It will help us achieve energy connectivity and power Asean towards a greener community,” said Ongkili at the close of the 33rd AMEM here yesterday.
Ongkili said Asean countries were always open to discussions on any matters, including ongoing projects, in order to reach a consensus and win-win situation for the parties involved.
“AMEM has developed more than 10 years ago its ambitious programmes – Asean Power Grid (APG) and Asean pipeline grid – and always open for cooperation and sharing resources.
“Cooperation in energy is very technical. So it is not easy as just trading goods and services. But we are taking it step-by-step on the basis on individual capabilities of states, nations and borders,” he said.
Ongkili said the effort to realise the APG soon would enhance connectivity among Asean member states.
On nuclear industry in the Asean region, Ongkili said the matter was still under study and discussion.
Meanwhile, Ongkili said, the target of achieving 23 per cent in the energy mix in 2025 will greatly contribute to the global effort of addressing the climate change and showcased Asean’s determination to reduce greenhouse gas emission.
The 33rd AMEM 2015 serves as a platform to foster greater cooperation on energy among Asean, its dialogue partners and international energy agencies.
The meetings, which began on 5 Oct, were attended by delegates from the 10 Asean member states, Asean dialogue partners and relevant parties.
The next Asean energy ministers meeting will be tentatively held in the third week of September 2016 for the 13th Asean+3 Ministers on Energy Meeting in Myanmar. — Bernama