On October 08, 2015, the twelfth ASEAN Energy Ministers Meeting and partner countries – Japan, Korea and China (AMEM +3) and the ninth East Asian Energy Ministers Meeting (EASS EMM9) were held in Kuala Lumpur in the scope of the thirty-third Energy Ministers Meeting.

At the Meeting AMEM+3, Ministers/ ASEAN lead managers considered and approved the plan of implementation of concrete cooperation activities, agreed to continue cooperation in the research of options of regional energy security, including development of nuclear power, mineral- oil reservation, development of clean coal technologies, and enhance the exchange of clean coal technology and technology of carbon absorption.

Ministers appreciated the fact that Japan and Korea sponsored and held successfully forums on ASEAN+3 Energy Security, Mineral-oil reservation, Nuclear security and implemented effectively the plan of cooperation in human resources development of civilian nuclear.

Ministers/ Lead Managers of countries in AMEM+3 Meeting

Ministers encouraged Korea and Japan to develop the Program of advancement in capacity for energy efficiency and energy conservation which these two countries have currently supported and collaborated with ASEAN member countries; welcomed China’s initiatives on sustainable development of new energy; welcomed Japan in holding round-table discussion of energy and smart grid in the period of 2014-2015, and Korea’s initiatives on the establishment of cooperation on integration of renewable energy and energy storage system to stimulate the optimization of energy utilization efficiency.

At the ninth EAS EMM, including 10 ASEAN member countries and 8 partner countries (Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Russia and the US), Ministers/ lead managers emphasized the significance of the effort to ensure energy security of the East Asian Region, as the energy provided to this region accounts 65% of global energy demand.

Ministers concurred in keeping on advancement in energy efficiency, development of new and renewable energy sources and concentrating on development of transparency of energy market and infrastructure as well.

In the context of dramatic reduction of world oil prices, Ministers believed that it was necessary for the countries in the region to attach special importance to the role of clean energy, renewable energy, energy efficiency and foster the development and transfer of clean energy.

Initial results of some connections of electric power and gas pipelines in the region and call for continual expansion of regional cooperation, especially the participation of private partners, were recognized. Ministers also appreciated the vision sharing in the region which will help member countries have more foundations for formulating energy development strategies as well as reach solutions to prevention of negative influences when energy sources are affected or disasters occur. Concurrently, Ministers acknowledged the efforts of Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and Asia (ERIA) in Japan in cooperation with member countries in order to make good use of potentials for efficient use and saving of energy and potentials for development of renewable energy in the East Asian Region.

Mr. Hoang Quoc Vuong, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade taking the lead of Vietnamese delegation participated in the aforementioned Meetings. With the theme of ASEAN energy cooperation 2015 which is “ASEAN energy tends towards Greener Community”, Deputy Minister Hoang Quoc Vuong expressed the viewpoint that it is essential for countries in the region to research and guarantee the harmony between different standards and issue appropriate regulations in order to ensure energy connection, namely grid connection among ASEAN countries, achieve reliability and stability, and meet demand for energy distribution of the connection system. 

Ngoc Anh