Introduction
1. The 9th ASEAN+3 (China, Japan and Korea) Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM+3) was held in the Kingdom of Cambodia on 12 September 2012. The Meeting was chaired by H.E. Mr. Suy Sem, Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy of the Kingdom of Cambodia and co-chaired by H.E. Mr. Wu Yin, Vice Administrator, National Energy Administration of the People’s Republic of China; H.E. Mr. Keiro Kitagami, Parliamentary Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan; and H.E. Mr. Kwansup Lee, Deputy Minister of Knowledge Economy of the Republic of Korea. The Meeting was participated by the Ministers of Energy of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
2. The Ministers recognised the progress made by the Japanese Government to bring TEPCO’s Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station to a stable condition and hoped that Japan would continue to share with the international community its accumulated knowledge and lessons learned from the accident. Amidst developments, such as, the volatile geopolitical situation in the Middle East and its implications on energy security, as well as rising energy demand, the Ministers recognised the need to balance energy security with economic competitiveness and environmental sustainability. They agreed to strengthen their commitment to the ASEAN+3 energy cooperation towards a sustainable energy future.
3. Recognising the need for improved linkages in energy cooperation, the Ministers agreed that enhancing ASEAN connectivity would bring the region closer to its goal of achieving greater energy security. The Ministers expressed their appreciation for the progress made by the Senior Officials Meeting on Energy +3 (SOME+3) Energy Cooperation. They noted that cooperation amongst the countries is a key to the diversification of energy sources, capacity building, information sharing and exchange, and the promotion of sustainable development and low-carbon growth economies.
Energy Security
4. On energy security, the Ministers acknowledged the importance of stakeholder cooperation to study possible energy options for the region including, among others, civilian nuclear energy, oil stockpiling, coal and clean coal technologies, and welcomed the steady progress of the activities. In this regard, the Ministers expressed their appreciation to Japan for leading the Energy Security Forum in ASEAN+3 energy cooperation.
5. The Ministers welcomed the Republic of Korea’s Second Phase Implementation Plan of the Human Resources Development for Civilian Nuclear Energy and Japan’s progress of activities under the Integrated Support Center for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Nuclear Security.
6. On oil stockpiling, the Ministers welcomed the follow-up activities for 2012-2013, namely: (i) continuing studies and development of the Oil Stockpiling Road Map (OSRM); (ii) collecting annual information on the progress of each country’s oil stockpiling activities; and (iii) organising workshops to promote the implementation of each ASEAN country’s OSRM, with the support and assistance of the +3 countries. The Ministers expressed their appreciation to the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) for agreeing to organise the Workshop on Pre-project Phase and Decision Phase, and the Workshop on Construction Phase and Operation Phase of oil stockpiling development. These workshops are expected to enhance energy security and preparedness for emergencies in the region. The Ministers encouraged the ACE, in cooperation with JOGMEC, to continue to collect the Updated Country Report of ASEAN+3 Member Countries, and to finalise the OSRM Report. The Ministers also urged the ACE to continue its work on the questionnaires to identify country needs as a useful reference on OSRM activities. The Ministers encouraged the ASEAN countries to steadily implement their OSRMs, with the +3 countries and International Energy Agency (IEA) providing the support and assistance where appropriate.
7. Recognising that coal is a major fuel source for the region, despite environmental concerns on its use, the Ministers welcomed further efforts to develop cooperation programmes on clean coal technologies, such as the upgrading of low rank coal technologies, carbon capture and storage (CCS), coal gasification and coal liquefaction. The Ministers supported the initiative to engage the +3 countries in future meetings and activities of the ASEAN Forum on Coal (AFOC) to foster closer cooperation and promote positive collaboration on clean coal utilisation.
8. To enhance greater information sharing amongst the ASEAN+3 countries, the Ministers welcomed continued collaboration of the ACE with the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ) in conducting capacity building programmes and developing regional energy outlooks in support of policy research and analysis. The Ministers encouraged the ACE to continue the collection of Oil Price Data of each ASEAN+3 Member Country on a monthly basis to be published in the ACE Website.
Oil Market and Natural Gas
9. Recognising that excessive oil price volatility might be a source of economic instability, the Ministers recognised the need to promote the transparent functioning of the oil markets, and expressed continued support for the Joint Organisations Data Initiative (JODI). The Ministers encouraged the ASEAN+3 countries to further share and exchange information on countermeasures in response to the volatile oil prices in the global market. They also encouraged the countries to share their experiences and lessons learned in seeking solutions to address price volatilities and uncertainties in oil supply caused by perceived geopolitical risks.
10. Given the increasing prominent role natural gas will play in the global and regional fuel mix, the Ministers agreed to enhance cooperation in the natural gas sector, in particular LNG issues, unconventional gas, and increasing and encouraging private sector participation. The Ministers also commended the ACE and Indonesia for organising the 1st Oil Market and Natural Gas Forum and the 1st ASEAN+3 Oil Market and Natural Gas Business Dialogue on 24-25 October 2011, and expressed their appreciation to China for leading the Oil Market and Natural Gas Forum.
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency and Conservation
11. The Ministers noted the good progress in achieving the ASEAN’s aspirational goals of reducing regional energy intensity by at least 8% by 2015 based on 2005 level, and the 15% target for the share of renewable energy in the total installed power capacity by 2015. The Ministers acknowledged the progress of the CDM programme and expressed their appreciation to the Republic of Korea for the continuation and expansion of the ASEAN+3 CDM Cooperation Programme including Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs), and for leading the New and Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Forum.
12. The Ministers noted the successful completion of ASEAN-Japan EE&C projects coordinated by the ACE, such as, the Promotion of Energy Efficiency and Conservation (PROMEEC) and Multi-country Training Programme on EE&C (MTPEC). The Ministers also noted the new energy efficiency cooperation initiatives as a next step towards ensuring more sustainable energy development in the region.
13. Recognising that new and innovative solutions are part of the equation in meeting future energy needs, the Ministers expressed their appreciation to Korea and Japan for sharing their experiences and plans relating to smart grid technologies. They encouraged China, Japan and Korea to also share their best practices on innovative financing schemes for RE and EE&C as well as on demand side energy management measures including mass transportation those designed to reduce energy intensity in the transportation sector.
Next Meeting
14. The Ministers agreed to meet again in Indonesia in 2013 for the 10th ASEAN+3 Ministers on Energy Meeting.
15. The Ministers expressed their appreciation to the Government and People of the Kingdom of Cambodia for the warm hospitality and the excellent arrangements made for the 9th ASEAN+3 Ministers on Energy Meeting.
LIST OF MINISTERS
a. Hon. Pehin Dato (Dr.) Mohammad Yasmin Umar, Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office of Brunei Darussalam;
b. H.E. Mr. Suy Sem, Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy of the Kingdom of Cambodia;
c. H.E. Mr. Wu Yin, Vice Administrator, National Energy Administration of the People’s Republic of China
d. H.E. Mr. Jero Wacik, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Indonesia;
e. H.E. Mr. Keiro Kitagami, Parliamentary Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan;
f. H.E. Mr. Soulivong Daravong, Minister of Energy and Mines of Lao People’s Democratic Republic;
g. H.E. Dato’ Sri Peter Chin Fah Kui, Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water of Malaysia;
h. H.E. U Than Htay, Union Minister for Energy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar;
i. H.E. Mr. Jose Rene D. Almendras, Secretary, Department of Energy, the Republic of the Philippines;
j. H.E. Mr. Kwansup Lee, Deputy Minister of Knowledge Economy of the Republic of Korea;
k. H.E. Mr. S. Iswaran, Minister, Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Home Affairs and Trade & Industry of the Republic of Singapore;
l. H.E. Mr. Arak Chonlatanon, Minister of Energy of the Kingdom of Thailand;
m. H.E. Mr. Le Duong Quang, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam; and
n. H.E. Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General of ASEAN.
