2024 Sep 26
ASEAN Centre for Energy Engages with Regional Energy Entities at the 2nd Inter-Regional Energy Forum (IREF)
Vientiane, 26 September 2024 – The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), supported by the USAID Southeast Asia Smart Power Program (SPP) successfully hosted the 2nd Inter-Regional Energy Forum (IREF), as part of the ASEAN Energy Business Forum 2024 (AEBF-24), in conjunction with the 42nd ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (42nd AMEM). The forum, which focused on the theme “Balancing Regional Energy Trilemma to Support Socio-economic Developments and Net Zero Targets”, brought together four (4) prominent energy organisations from four major regions: Southeast Asia, Latin America, Africa, and South Asia.
The IREF served as a platform to foster deeper cooperation and collaboration across regions in addressing the shared challenges of the global energy transition. By exchanging knowledge, strategies, and best practices, the forum emphasised the need for secure, affordable, and sustainable energy to support socio-economic development.
Grayson Heffner, Director, Utility Modernization and Power Trade, USAID SPP, stated “SPP is proud to support Southeast Asia’s regional economic growth and development through a secure, market-driven energy sector. We are also pleased to participate in the IREF initiative, which enables dialogue between regional energy entities on the key challenges and solutions to multilateral power cooperation and energy resilience in the region and around the world.”
Structured on two consecutive days in separate sessions, the first session was a closed-door roundtable discussion between the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE), African Energy Commission (AFREC), and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Energy Centre (SAARC EC), in conjunction with the 42nd AMEM, focusing on best practices to enhance regional energy connectivity. The second session, a public panel held during AEBF-24, provided regional energy experts the opportunity to present the latest outlooks and strategies for regional energy provision. Engaging both governmental bodies and the public, the forum facilitated comprehensive dialogue in advancing energy security, accessibility, affordability, and sustainability.
The 2nd IREF builds upon the success of the 1st IREF held in Bali, Indonesia, in conjunction with the AEBF 2023, is a testament of ACE’s commitment in strengthening inter-regional partnerships and driving the global energy transition. The forum will further promote collaboration between regions through initiatives such as joint projects, policy dialogues, and the sharing of best practices.
The IREF served as a platform to foster deeper cooperation and collaboration across regions in addressing the shared challenges of the global energy transition. By exchanging knowledge, strategies, and best practices, the forum emphasised the need for secure, affordable, and sustainable energy to support socio-economic development.
Grayson Heffner, Director, Utility Modernization and Power Trade, USAID SPP, stated “SPP is proud to support Southeast Asia’s regional economic growth and development through a secure, market-driven energy sector. We are also pleased to participate in the IREF initiative, which enables dialogue between regional energy entities on the key challenges and solutions to multilateral power cooperation and energy resilience in the region and around the world.”
Structured on two consecutive days in separate sessions, the first session was a closed-door roundtable discussion between the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE), African Energy Commission (AFREC), and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Energy Centre (SAARC EC), in conjunction with the 42nd AMEM, focusing on best practices to enhance regional energy connectivity. The second session, a public panel held during AEBF-24, provided regional energy experts the opportunity to present the latest outlooks and strategies for regional energy provision. Engaging both governmental bodies and the public, the forum facilitated comprehensive dialogue in advancing energy security, accessibility, affordability, and sustainability.
The 2nd IREF builds upon the success of the 1st IREF held in Bali, Indonesia, in conjunction with the AEBF 2023, is a testament of ACE’s commitment in strengthening inter-regional partnerships and driving the global energy transition. The forum will further promote collaboration between regions through initiatives such as joint projects, policy dialogues, and the sharing of best practices.