DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, delivered the keynote address at the Malaysia edition of Unlocking Capital for Sustainability (UCFS) 2025, at the Securities Commission Malaysia. under the theme “Fostering Inclusive and Sustainable Growth for ASEAN”, which saw the high-level forum bring together industry, finance, civil society, academia and government leaders to address regional capital mobilisation for climate resilience.
The Deputy Prime Minister described the occasion as timely and “a vital platform for all of us to translate regional ambitions into concrete actions, especially in the areas of financing the energy transition which lies at the heart of our ASEAN leadership agenda.”
Speaking in the context of Malaysia’s forthcoming ASEAN Chairmanship under the theme Inclusivity and Sustainability, he emphasised the urgent need for balanced development that “ensures no community is left behind” while securing environmental stewardship and long-term prosperity.
Addressing the ‘energy trilemma’ of balancing sustainability, affordability, and energy security, he stated: “The energy trilemma is not a zero-sum game. It is a call to pursue integrated and innovative solutions that serve the common goals of a prosperous, progressive and protected ASEAN Family.”
Malaysia’s commitment to energy transition was underscored by the Deputy Prime Minister’s reiteration of the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), which targets 70 per cent renewable energy capacity by 2050. “The NETR aims to send a clear market signal to mobilise private capital, reduce investor uncertainty, and foster a more investable environment for clean energy,” he said.
He also highlighted the need for systemic investments in smart grids, advanced energy storage, and cross-border infrastructure to support decentralised, secure energy systems. “Delivering on the NETR requires more than just policy directions but also demands fundamental transformation of the energy ecosystem,” he asserted.
Acknowledging that the energy transition will reshape employment, he called for a just and inclusive approach supported by “comprehensive reskilling, upskilling, and social protection mechanisms in empowering our workforce and catalysing new green industries.”
As ASEAN Chair in 2025, Malaysia aims to push for significant progress on the ASEAN Power Grid (APG), a regional energy integration initiative. “We are on track to table progressive outcomes in October 2025,” he announced. He called the APG “a compelling investment platform” and a way to reduce fossil fuel reliance, improve energy trade, and enhance resilience.
On sustainable finance, he referenced the US\$1.5 trillion annual financing gap in Asia-Pacific and Malaysia’s efforts to strengthen its financial architecture. These include collaborative work on the ASEAN Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance, the ASEAN Green, Social and Sustainability Bond Standards, and partnerships with multilateral bodies to de-risk green investments.
He also detailed national initiatives under the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation to improve access to renewable energy, including the Green Electricity Tariff (GET), the Corporate Renewable Energy Supply Scheme (CRESS), and the Community Renewable Energy Aggregation Mechanism (CREAM).
“These initiatives are strategic enablers of investment and innovation. By strengthening our financial ecosystem and regulatory frameworks, we are unlocking private capital and improving green electricity access,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, the Deputy Prime Minister urged ASEAN to lead with unity, pragmatism, and purpose. “Let us move forward with resolve, purpose, courage, and united in building an ASEAN that is not just resilient—but transformative, a beacon of sustainable global leadership in this defining era.” - July 29, 2025
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