A warm greeting from Jakarta to all of you, wherever you are joining this important event.

It is my great pleasure to join with you all today, representing the ASEAN Centre for Energy. The ASEAN Centre for Energy is an intergovernmental organisation that is working on the interest of 10 countries in Southeast Asia on energy cooperation, and we are very pleased to join the event today. 

Considering the crucial role of energy sector in the post pandemic recovery plans and to urgently address our shared long-term climate goals, it is important for ASEAN to strengthen the commitment to accelerate the energy transition and transformation of energy system towards low carbon economy.  

In the Bandar Seri Begawan Joint Declaration on Energy Security and Energy Transition adopted by 39th AMEM, the Ministers reiterated the need to enhance the efforts in national and regional energy planning which includes enhancing energy efficiency and conservation, deploying renewable energy and increasing investments in advanced and cleaner energy technologies.  

Moreover, the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase II: 2021-2025 has been considered the UN’s sustainable development goals as one of the global trends that influence the shape ASEAN energy future.  

Under the 5-year implementation of APAEC, ASEAN aims specifically to accelerate energy transition and strengthen energy resilience through greater innovation and cooperation through seven key strategies: 

· Expanding the regional multilateral electricity trading and promoting clean and renewable energy integration into ASEAN Power Grid. 

· Pursuing the development of ASEAN Common Gas Market. 

· Optimising the role of clean coal technology and CCUS in facilitating the transition towards low carbon economy. 

· Reducing energy intensity reduction by 32% by 2025 based on 2005 levels and expanding EE&C measures into transport and industry sectors. 

· Achieving 23% RE share in ASEAN’s TPES and 35% share in installed power capacity. 

· Advancing energy policy and planning to accelerate the region’s energy transition. 

· Building human resource capabilities on nuclear science and technology for power generation. 

Clean energy development is at the centre of our efforts to support the energy transition in the ASEAN region. 

The topic of the event, on the dam, is very critical for us in the ASEAN region, considering that the hydropower plan contributes significantly to the power mix of the region.  

As of 2020, around 21% of the total installed power capacity in ASEAN, or around 60 GW, was hydro.  

Last year alone, ASEAN installed around 6 GW new hydropower plant, and this was a majority in Laos, which dubbed as the battery for the region. 

And looking at the various national power development plans of the countries in the region, hydro will be increased and continue to play a major role in supporting the transition of the region towards more renewable energy. 

Hence, we believe the event today will provide a benefit for the region. 

Congratulation for all participants. 

Thank you, and I wish everyone a productive discussion.