Latest news with #AseanMinisters
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Asean agrees to enhanced power grid deal, new energy roadmap
Energy transition and water transformation ministry secretary-general Mad Zaidi Karli said senior energy officials have agreed on the terms of an enhanced memorandum of understanding for the Asean Power Grid. KUCHING : Asean energy officials have agreed on several key regional initiatives to strengthen energy cooperation and connectivity. Energy transition and water transformation ministry secretary-general Mad Zaidi Karli announced today that senior energy officials have agreed on the terms of an enhanced memorandum of understanding for the Asean Power Grid (APG). 'This will be signed in October during the Asean Ministers on Energy Meeting,' he told a press conference after the 43rd Asean Senior Officials' Meeting on Energy which concluded here today. Zaidi also confirmed that officials have endorsed the policy document outlining the second phase (2026-2030) of the Asean Plan of Action for Energy, which continues the region's focus on energy security, market integration and the clean energy transition. In a recent interview with FMT, energy transition and water transformation minister Fadillah Yusof said Asean is also exploring a code of conduct for external energy partners amid growing engagement with dialogue partners, including the US and Russia. The three-day meeting, hosted by the ministry from June 16 to 18, saw the participation of 250 delegates across Asean countries, the Asean Secretariat, the Asean Centre for Energy, and dialogue partners from China, Japan, Russia and the US. Other outcomes The ministry said other key outcomes of the three-day meeting included the launching of the Asean-Russia Capacity Building on Energy Statistics project and renewing the Asean-Russia energy cooperation framework for 2026-2028. Russia's Elena Vikulova, deputy head of its directorate of international cooperation, said there is strong potential for Asean-Russia energy cooperation given the region's surging energy demand. In a statement, the ministry said senior officials from Australia, the US, Russia, South Korea, China and Japan discussed advancing energy efficiency measures, sustainable biofuels and renewable energy deployment during the 30th East Asia Summit Energy Cooperation Task Force Meeting. It also said the International Energy Agency presented its Southeast Asia Energy Outlook 2025, while the International Renewable Energy Agency shared renewable energy trends around the world. Additionally, the Asian Development Bank presented its 2025-2026 work plan, which focuses on clean energy transitions and sustainable infrastructure development, while also making 'significant progress' in discussions on the APG with energy senior officials. Earlier today, South Korea's trade, industry and energy first secretary Heegang Kim said in his opening remarks that the nation is set to launch a nuclear cooperation project with Asean to systematically support the region's readiness to introduce nuclear power plants. Another new initiative Kim announced was the transfer of the Korean electrical safety management system to Asean member states from the Korea Electrical Safety Corporation.
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Malaysia pushes regional energy agenda at Asean meeting, eyes grid integration and green growth
KUCHING, June 16 — Malaysia reaffirmed its firm commitment to driving regional energy cooperation with a focus on inclusivity and sustainability, as it chaired the 43rd Senior Officials Meeting on Energy (SOME) held here today. Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (Petra), Datuk Mad Zaidi Mohd Karli, stated that the theme for Malaysia's energy sector engagements, 'Powering Asean: Bridging Boundaries, Building Prosperity,' reflects the broader vision of Malaysia's Asean Chairmanship. 'This theme is important to emphasise the need for energy and dynamism in driving the region's development to propel Asean forward. 'It also reflects the ultimate goal of Asean integration, which is to improve the lives of its citizens by promoting economic growth, creating jobs and focusing on inclusivity and sustainability that will benefit all segments of society,' he said in his opening remarks at the meeting. He also expressed confidence that today's discussions would deliver tangible progress aligned with Malaysia's Priority Economic Deliverables and Asean's 2025 priorities, particularly on key initiatives such as the Asean Power Grid Memorandum of Understanding and the Terms of Reference for the Subsea Power Cable Development Framework. 'These collaborative efforts will certainly lay the groundwork for the 43rd Asean Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM), which will be hosted in Kuala Lumpur,' he added. The 43rd Asean-SOME and its associated meetings began today and will run until June 18, drawing around 250 delegates, including senior energy officials and representatives from the Asean Secretariat and the Asean Centre for Energy. All 10 Asean member states, namely Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, are participating, with Timor-Leste attending as an observer. They are joined by dialogue partners China, South Korea, Japan, Russia and the United States, along with representatives from the International Renewable Energy Agency, International Energy Agency, Economic Research Institute for Asean and East Asia, Asian Development Bank and the World Bank. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
25-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Deal on Asean power grid to be sealed in October, says Tengku Zafrul
Investment, trade and industry minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz talking to his counterparts during the ministerial lunch after the 25th Asean Economic Community Council meeting today. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Negotiations on the enhanced memorandum of agreement for the Asean Power Grid (APG) are set to conclude with a signing at the 43rd Asean Ministers on Energy Meeting in October. This is aimed at strengthening regional energy security, connectivity and sustainability, Bernama quoted investment, trade and industry minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz as saying. He said the Asean economic ministers also welcomed ongoing work towards the establishment of the APG Financing Facility Framework, which will enhance cross-border flows of foreign direct investments and new funding opportunities for regional energy-related projects. 'The Asean Economic Community (AEC) Council also expressed full support for the convening of a joint meeting of Asean's energy, finance and economic ministers in August this year,' he said after the 25th AEC Council meeting in Kuala Lumpur today, held in conjunction with the 46th Asean Summit. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in welcoming Laos prime minister Sonexay Siphandone, who is on a three-day official visit to Malaysia, said both parties also agreed to implement the second phase of the APG initiative, which will include Laos, Cambodia and Thailand, alongside Malaysia and Singapore. He said while the initial phase links Vietnam to the northern part of Malaysia, discussions with Siphandone underscored the need to fast-track the next phase to benefit more countries in the region. The first phase includes an undersea cable from Vietnam to the northern part of Malaysia. Anwar highlighted the growing economic confidence in Laos, citing the presence of four major Malaysian banks, namely Maybank, RHB, CIMB and Public Bank, operating in the country. Boosting cross-border trade via rail and sea Laos and Malaysia have established a partnership to boost cross-border trade via rail and sea with the exchange of a memorandum of cooperation between Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) and Thanaleng Dry Port (TDP). Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim with Laos prime minister Sonexay Siphandone, who is on a three-day official visit to Malaysia. (Bernama pic) Anwar and Siphandone witnessed the exchange of documents for the MoC between MMC Port Holdings Sdn Bhd CEO Azman Shah Yusof and PTL Holding Co Ltd (PTLH) CEO Chanthone Sitthixay. PPSB is a subsidiary of MMC Ports, while PTLH is the parent company of Vientiane Logistics Park Co Ltd, which manages the dry port. The collaboration is part of a broader initiative under the Pan-Asia Railway Network, integrating the China-Lao Railway to create a strategic trade route linking southern China through Laos and Thailand to Malaysia's west coast. Azman said the collaboration would involve the sharing of operational knowledge, joint marketing efforts, system integration, simplification of documentation processes, harmonisation of infrastructure, and short-term personnel exchanges. MMC Ports is a holding company for its subsidiaries that operate five ports across Peninsular Malaysia, namely PPSB, Port of Tanjung Pelepas, Johor Port Bhd, Northport (M) Bhd, and Tanjung Bruas Port Sdn Bhd, making it Malaysia's largest port operator. This is the second time that TDP has signed an MoC with a Malaysian company, following an earlier agreement with Mutiara Perlis Sdn Bhd to facilitate inland port services between Perlis Inland Port and TDP in Vientiane. In 2024, total bilateral trade between Malaysia and Laos stood at RM99.7 million, with Malaysia's exports valued at RM67.8 million and imports totalling RM31.9 million. Malaysia is Laos's fifth-largest foreign investor, with total investments worth US$942 million across 46 projects in sectors including renewable energy, transport, telecommunications, construction, banking and hospitality.
Malay Mail
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Indonesia calls for stronger Asean action on Myanmar crisis, backs Malaysia's initiatives
JAKARTA, May 25 — Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono has expressed full support for Malaysia's various initiatives, as this year's Asean Chair, in facilitating a peaceful resolution to Myanmar's internal conflict. He reaffirmed Indonesia's readiness to continue actively contributing to the restoration of democracy and stability in Myanmar during the Extended Informal Consultation on the Implementation of the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) held in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. 'Asean's strength lies in its unity. In facing the Myanmar crisis, we must speak with one voice and act with one purpose to push for the full implementation of the 5PC,' he said, according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry on Sunday. The meeting, held ahead of the 46th Asean Summit, served as an informal forum for Asean foreign ministers and special envoys for Myanmar to discuss developments in Myanmar and explore ways to effectively implement the 5PC. The 5PC was adopted by Asean in April 2021 following the military coup in Myanmar on Feb 1 that year. It calls for an immediate cessation of violence, inclusive dialogue among all parties, the appointment of a special envoy, the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and for the envoy to be granted access to all relevant stakeholders in Myanmar. Despite its significance, implementation of the consensus has largely stalled due to the junta's continued non-compliance, with the issue remaining a central concern in Asean's ongoing engagement with Myanmar. The 46th Asean Summit is being held under Malaysia's 2025 Chairmanship theme, 'Inclusivity and Sustainability'. This year also marks the country's fifth time at the helm of the regional grouping since its previous chairmanships in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015. Asean comprises 10 member states: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Sugiono reiterated the importance of fully implementing the 5PC and focusing on ending violence, expanding humanitarian assistance, and ensuring inclusive dialogue involving all stakeholders in Myanmar. 'Indonesia remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting a peaceful resolution in Myanmar. Regional stability can only be achieved if Asean stands united and acts based on the principles of consensus and solidarity,' he added. — Bernama
