2023.09.12
This year, 2023, marks 50 years since Japan held its first dialogue with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (1973 synthetic rubber forum), and therefore has been officially designated as the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation by the Japanese government and the ASEAN community. In commemoration of this milestone, the two sides are promoting exchange and cooperation among the public and private sectors. As part of these efforts (Note 1), JICA signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) (Note 2) on August 25, with the purpose of sharing information and exchanging opinions toward the establishment of cooperation projects. These have a particular focus on research on power connectivity in the ASEAN region, such as cross-border transmission projects, and include support for the formulation of energy strategies in the ASEAN region. Such cooperation will also contribute to the “Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP)” and the “Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC)” concept promoted by the Japanese government.
The signing occurred at the “ASEAN Energy Business Forum,” held as a side event of the ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting, which took place in Bali, Indonesia from August 24 to 26 and was attended by Japan’s State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nakatani Shinichi.
Signing of the MoC at the ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting
Energy demand is expected to continue to rise in the future in the ASEAN region, which is experiencing rapid economic growth. Against this backdrop, countries in the region have started working together to achieve carbon neutrality. For example, electricity generated by Laos from its abundant hydropower is being transported to Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. ACE plays a central role in the development of energy policies and programs in the ASEAN region, while maintaining economic growth and environmental sustainability. Meanwhile, JICA is supporting the preparation of decarbonization master plans in both Laos and Cambodia, and believes that this partnership with ACE will be important in promoting cross-border power connectivity and energy transition in the region.
Through this partnership, JICA will work to promote both future economic growth and decarbonization in the field of electric power in the ASEAN region, as well as diverse and realistic efforts towards carbon neutrality according to the actual conditions of each country, in collaboration with industry, government, and academia.
Note 1: JICA has commenced cooperation with the ASEAN community to contribute to the deepening of ASEAN integration, doing so through technical cooperation projects such as the “Project for Enhancing ASEAN-Japan Capacity Building Program for Cybersecurity and Trusted Digital Services” and the “ASEAN-JICA Food Value Chain Development Project,” and is intensifying discussions toward further cooperation with the ASEAN community.
Note 2: ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) – Established in January 1999 as an international organization under the umbrella of ASEAN, playing a central role in the ASEAN energy sector. ACE is expected to provide relevant information and expertise so that energy policies and programs in the ASEAN region are in harmony with economic growth and environmental sustainability.
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