Asean energy ministers re-affirmed their commitment towards strengthening efforts to address climate change and enhance Asean energy cooperation towards a low-carbon and green economy, at their meeting in Vietnam.
At the 28th Asean Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM), wrapped up on July 23 in Dalat, the ministers re-affirmed their commitment to energy cooper?ation in the direction of region?al integration and the building of the Asean Community.
They also stressed the need for coordinated efforts in the implementation of the Asean Plan of Action on Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2010-2015.
The meeting was attended by ministers from all 10 Asean countries, China, Korea, Japan, India, Australia and New Zealand as well as representatives from Russia and the US.
Energy Minister Wannarat Charnnukul said today that the ministers also approved the Asean Power Grid Master Plan Phase II, as presented by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, which will optimise energy sources in the region.
"They also stressed the need for this project materialisation through a concrete action plan. Regional cooperation will also be heightened in five areas - energy security, oil and gas stockpiling, alternative energy development, energy conservation and energy efficiency," he said.
The ministers also welcomed opportunities to strengthen and/or discuss cooperation with other dialogue partners in ener?gy cooperation, especially with Russia and the US in alterna?tive and renewable energy, peaceful use of nuclear power, and oil and gas exploration.
Asean and the US plan to stage a workshop on energy labelling in November, aside from other activities to promote energy security and clean ener?gy.