VIENTIANE – In a landmark conference held in Vientiane, Lao PDR, from 24th to 27th September, the 42nd ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) convened, setting a decisive course for the region’s energy future. Chaired by Phosay Sayasone, Lao PDR’s Minister of Energy and Mines, the meeting brought together the region’s key players in a concerted effort to address the pressing energy challenges and global megatrends affecting Southeast Asia.

The AMEM, which included dialogues with the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), as well as the 21st AMEM Plus Three and the 18th East Asia Summit Energy Ministers’ Meeting, marked a pivotal moment for ASEAN’s energy sector. The ministers endorsed the ASEAN Power Grid (APG), a visionary project aimed at interconnecting the power systems of all ASEAN member states to ensure regional energy security and foster sustainable energy development.

The meeting also saw the development of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Post 2025, a strategic framework designed to guide the region through its evolving energy landscape. The APAEC 2026-2030 theme, ‘Advancing Regional Cooperation in Ensuring Energy Security and Accelerating Decarbonization for a Just and Inclusive Energy Transition’, reflects ASEAN’s commitment to a sustainable and equitable energy future.

The meeting highlighted the need for substantial investment in the APG to realize these ambitious goals. It acknowledged the support of international financial institutions such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank. These organizations have initiated dedicated financing facilities and programs to support ASEAN’s national and regional energy transition efforts, facilitating the integration of ASEAN’s energy markets. (zai)