The year 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of Japan’s first dialogue with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (1973 Synthetic Rubber Dialogue). The Japanese government and ASEAN have designated this year as the 50th anniversary of the ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation to promote exchanges and cooperation between the public and private sectors.1 As part of its efforts to further promote cooperation with ASEAN, JICA signed an agreement with the ASEAN Center for Energy (ACE) (Note 2) on August 25, 2010. (Note 1), JICA signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with the ASEAN Center for Energy (ACE) (Note 2) on August 25 to share information and exchange views on the formulation of cooperation projects, including a study on electricity connectivity in the ASEAN region, particularly for cross-border power transmission projects, and support for formulating energy strategies for the ASEAN region. The MoC will be signed by the Japanese government and the ASEAN region. This cooperation will also contribute to the Fair Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) concept promoted by the Japanese government.
The signing took place at the ASEAN Energy Business Forum, a side event of the ASEAN Energy Ministerial Meeting held in Bali, Indonesia, from August 24 to 26, in the presence of Mr. Shinichi Nakatani, Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, who participated from Japan.
In the ASEAN region, which is experiencing remarkable economic growth, energy demand is expected to continue to expand in the future. In this context, cooperative efforts have begun among countries in the region to achieve carbon neutrality. For example, electricity generated from Laos’ abundant hydropower is being transported to Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, and ACE is playing a central role in advancing energy policies and programs within the ASEAN region while maintaining economic growth and environmental sustainability. JICA is also supporting the preparation of master plans for the decarbonization of both Laos and Cambodia, and we believe that our partnership with ACE is important to promote electricity connectivity across countries and energy transitions in the region.
Through the partnership with ACE, JICA will continue to promote decarbonization in the power sector that is compatible with economic growth in the ASEAN region, and to work toward carbon neutrality in a diverse and realistic manner according to the actual situation in each country, in collaboration with industry, government, and academia.
(Note 1) JICA has initiated cooperation with ASEAN to contribute to the deepening of ASEAN integration through technical cooperation projects such as the “ASEAN-Japan Capacity Enhancement Program Enhancement Project on Cyber Security and Digital Trust Services” and the “ASEAN-JICA Food Value Chain Development Support Project”. (2) JICA has initiated cooperation that also contributes to deepening ASEAN integration through technical cooperation projects such as the “Strengthening ASEAN-Japan Capacity Enhancement Program for Cyber Security and Digital Trust Services” and the “ASEAN-JICA Food Value Chain Development Support Project.
(Note 2) ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE): Established in January 1999, the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) is an international organization under the ASEAN umbrella that plays a central role in the ASEAN energy sector. ACE is expected to provide relevant information and expertise to ensure that necessary energy policies and programs within the ASEAN region are in harmony with regional economic growth and environmental sustainability.
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