The ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF) 2021 was held virtually from 14th – 16th September 2021 in parallel with the 39th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) and its Associated Meetings. The forum was jointly organized by the Ministry of Energy, the Petroleum Authority of Brunei Darussalam, the ASEAN Centre of Energy (ACE) and DMG Events.
The event commenced with a welcoming address by Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Mat Suny bin Haji Md. Hussein, Minister of Energy in which he highlighted the importance to accelerate the energy transition in the Southeast Asian region in order to achieve the two major targets by 2025; firstly, the integration of 23% renewable energy in the ASEAN energy mix and secondly, 32% reduction of energy intensity as outlined under Phase II of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) for 2021 – 2025.
Yang Mulia Awang Haji Azhar Bin Haji Yahya, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Energy and Interim Managing Director of Petroleum Authority of Brunei Darussalam (PA) as the co-host, delivered a keynote address on Brunei Darussalam’s energy transition plans and petroleum strategy. In his address, he assured Brunei Darussalam’s dedication towards a sustainable energy transition by emphasizing the Ministry of Energy’s five-year strategic objectives on green energy, with the aim of achieving long-term energy security for Brunei Darussalam and its environment.
The three-day event brought together ASEAN energy leaders, key industry players and expert policy makers to discuss on energy security and strategies while simultaneously promoting energy investment opportunities and enhancing energy cooperation in the region and beyond. The three main themes for the AEBF 2021 included i) ASEAN Energy Sustainability Vision, ii) Accelerating ASEAN’s Energy Transition, and iii) Net-Zero Solutions and Country Investment Briefings. In addition, the event featured a virtual exhibition showcasing over 50 local, regional and international exhibitors.
The highlight of the AEBF 2021 was the Ministers-CEO dialogue which brought together Ministers and senior leaders from ASEAN member states as well CEOs from various energy companies for an invigorating discussion on the topic of ASEAN energy transition, decarbonization and emerging innovative technologies in meeting the net-zero goals.
The AEBF is an annual forum that enables ASEAN policy makers to showcase national energy framework aspirations and discuss how they could work with businesses to realize these goals, thus serving as the perfect platform to foster in-country investment missions, bilateral meetings between project owners, investors and integrated energy solution partners.
