Bridges Trade BioRes • Volume 5 • Number 14 • 22nd July 2005

ASEAN Ministers Pledge to Promote Renewables, Energy Efficiency

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On 13 July, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) energy ministers met to discuss energy stability, security and sustainability in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The meeting took place against the backdrop of high energy prices and a cooling effect they are beginning to have on economic growth in the region. Among other measures, ministers called for enhancement of energy efficiency in the transportation and industrial sectors, as this constituted “one of the most economical and effective ways of mitigating the adverse impacts of higher oil prices”. Several countries also have implemented policies to promote biofuels, and ministers agreed to support public-private partnerships related to all types of renewables. However, there was little discussion on scrapping perverse subsidies currently in place in many countries, which lead to false price signals and overly high demand for fossil fuels. “Some members are now under a lot of pressure to reduce subsidies, but we do not see an immediate solution because citizens are so used to them,” commented ASEAN Secretary-General Ong Keng Yong.

ASEAN includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam.

The 23rd ASEAN energy ministers’ joint statement, entitled “Promoting Greater Energy Stability, Security and Sustainability: Pathway to ASEAN Community 2020″ is available at http://www.aseansec.org/17538.htm.