KUCHING: The involvement of dialogue partners such as China, the United States, and Japan in the 43rd ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Energy (SOME) brings added value to ASEAN member states, particularly in attracting investment and promoting technology exchange.
According to the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation’s (PETRA’s) Sustainable Energy Division Secretary, Asdirhyme Abdul Rasib, these dialogue partners possess strong technological capabilities and financial resources.
“Our main focus at the senior officials’ level is to facilitate and attract investment from dialogue partners, as well as to promote technology exchange that can support us in achieving energy stability and security,” he was quoted as saying in a TVS report at the 43rd SOME, held at a hotel here today.
The 43rd SOME serves as a platform for ASEAN member countries to deliberate on the direction of energy development and implementation across the region.
Asdirhyme explained that the meeting is also instrumental in identifying strategies and executing initiatives to strengthen the energy sector, particularly in terms of electricity supply.
“Key topics discussed this morning included the ASEAN Power Grid, the development of renewable energy, and efforts to ensure energy supply security.
“We hope all 10 ASEAN member countries participating in the meeting will reach consensus and agreement on two main areas – first, the ASEAN Power Grid framework, and second, the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC), particularly its post-2025 programmes and initiatives. These are our primary goals.
“In addition, we are engaging with our dialogue partners to identify potential programmes and development plans that can support energy advancement within ASEAN nations,” he added.
Asdirhyme also highlighted that hosting this meeting is part of PETRA’s responsibility as Malaysia prepares to chair ASEAN in 2025.
“This year, we are organising three meetings, starting with the Special SOME held in Langkawi earlier in January, followed by the senior officials meeting currently taking place in Kuching from June 16-18.
“Next, we will proceed to the ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM), scheduled for October 2025,” he said.
