MALAYSIA has taken centre stage in shaping Southeast Asia’s clean energy agenda, chairing two high-level energy meetings that reaffirmed regional commitment to energy resilience, integration, and sustainable development.
The 19th East Asia Summit Energy Ministers Meeting (19th EAS EMM) and the 22nd ASEAN+3 Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM+3) were held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister II and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), Datuk Fadillah Yusof.
Bringing together ministers from ASEAN, Timor-Leste and eight key dialogue partners — Australia, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Russia, and the United States — the meetings marked a pivotal moment for cross-border energy dialogue and practical cooperation.
Ministers at the EAS EMM focused on strengthening regional energy connectivity and resilience, exchanging perspectives on energy transition pathways, clean energy technology exchange, and cross-border investments.
The session welcomed the launch of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2026–2030, which will guide joint efforts in decarbonisation, digitalisation and energy diversification across the region.
The EAS Energy Cooperation Task Force (EAS ECTF) was also commended for its work on clean energy technology projects, low-carbon fuels, and regional grid interconnection studies.
At the AMEM+3, which involved ASEAN nations alongside China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, ministers endorsed the SOME+3 Energy Policy Governing Group Work Programme 2025–2026.
The programme will focus on four key thematic areas: energy security, oil and gas market dialogue, renewable energy and energy efficiency, and clean energy roundtable discussions.
The meeting underscored the importance of innovation-led partnerships and sustainable financing mechanisms to accelerate renewable energy deployment and enhance regional energy resilience.
Malaysia, through PETRA, reiterated that ASEAN must now move beyond policy-level discussions to implementation-based cooperation.
“Regional cooperation must evolve from policy dialogue to implementation-driven frameworks,” said Fadillah.
He added that the goal is to mobilise blended finance, strengthen grid interconnections, and collectively pursue net-zero carbon targets.
The outcomes of both sessions further positioned Malaysia as a key player in advancing ASEAN-East Asia energy integration, particularly through operationalising the ASEAN Power Grid Financing Initiative (APGF), introduced earlier at the 43rd ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM-43).
The meetings concluded a week of intensive dialogue under the theme “Powering ASEAN: Bridging Boundaries, Building Prosperity,” a reflection of the region’s collective determination to secure a future of affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy — in line with the Malaysia MADANI values of innovation, environmental stewardship, and regional solidarity. - October 17, 2025
