Jakarta, 25 April 2025
Photo 1.The “ASEAN’s Climate and Energy Priorities” Panel Discussion
Jakarta, 25 April 2025 – The ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project (ACCEPT) is committed to advancing the energy-climate nexus through various activities such as capacity building and collaboration. This includes a wide range of stakeholders, including civil society organisations (CSOs). On Thursday, 25 April 2025, ACCEPT had the pleasure to take part in the “The Role of CSOs in Strengthening the Climate and Energy Transition Agenda in ASEAN” workshop held in Jakarta, Indonesia. Ms. Aldilla Noor Rakhiemah, Project Manager of ACCEPT II, spoke on a panel discussion titled “ASEAN’s Climate and Energy Priorities” and delivered a presentation on ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE)’s role in the discourse.
The panel was moderated by Prof. Poppy S. Winanti from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). Alongside Ms. Aldilla, the panel was also attended by Mr. Za’iem Halbi from the ASEAN Center for Climate Change (ACCC), Ms. Latifahaida Abdul Latif from the ASEAN Secretariat, and Dr. Piti Srisangnam from the ASEAN Foundation.
Ms. Aldilla kickstarted her presentation with an introduction on ACE, including the regional energy blueprint, the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase II (2021-2025), as well as the 8th ASEAN Energy Outlook (AEO8). She stated that with the continuously rising energy demand, energy security is more important than ever, calling for more cooperation and collaboration in the energy sector. Current global geopolitical dynamics highlight the need for expanded interconnectivity for more secure and reliable power supply, especially through the ASEAN Power Grid (APG). This need is coupled with the importance of expanding renewable energy capacity to push for decarbonisation in the pursuit of net zero.
Photo 2. Ms Aldilla Noor Rakhiemah delivering a presentation on ASEAN’s Key Priorities for Energy Transition
Ms. Aldilla also outlined several concrete actions for CSOs and non-state actors to support ASEAN’s energy transition, which includes data and research collaboration, policy advocacy and input, awareness and capacity building, monitoring support of regional energy transition projects, as well as financing and resource mobilisation. Morever, she highlighted the need for a just and inclusive energy transition, taking into account gender and community perspectives into energy policies, which will be spotlighted in the next APAEC cycle.
In the same session, Mr. Za’iem Halbi introduced the ACCC. He explained that the ACCC, hosted by the Brunei Climate Change Office, is part of Brunei Darussalam’s commitment on climate action during its Chairmanship in 2021. The organisation functions as an inter-governmental hub for climate change coordination and cooperation among ASEAN Member States (AMS), providing policy recommendations, research, and networking. Beyond AMS, ACCC also strives to bridge dialogue with CSOs and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Ms. Latifahaida Abdul Latif, representing the ASEAN Secretariat, presented the organisation’s perspective on the role of CSOs in strengthening the climate and energy transition agenda in the region. She stated that there is an opportunity to push ASEAN’s competitiveness through carbon neutrality, as the region has a manageable gap to neutrality, high nature-based solutions (NbS) potential, and growing capital availability. Furthermore, she outlined eight strategies to push this change, including accelerating green value chain integration, strengthening regional circular economy supply chain, connecting green infrastructure and market, establishing interoperable carbon market, establishing credible and common standards, attracting and deploying green capital, developing green talent and mobility, and sharing green best practices.
Dr. Piti Srisangnam, representing the ASEAN Foundation, shared his insights through a video message. He highlighted the need to put a focus on disaster risk resilience (DRR), especially with ASEAN’s climate transition to La Niña from El Niño, increasing the risks of disasters such as landslides. Moreover, he stated the need to accelerate ASEAN’s energy market, as the region is abundant in energy resources ready to be supplied cross-border. He also mentioned the APG, and its importance to enhance long-term energy security and economic interdependence. Moreover, the people must be central in energy transition to build a strong foundation for long-term change towards a greener society. This could be done through raising awareness on environmental education, building capacity, as well as people-to-people connection.
Photo 3. (Left to right) Mr. Za’iem Halbi, Ms. Latifahaida Abdul Latif, and Dr. Piti Srisangnam
The perspectives of these panelists give robust insights to how several ASEAN bodies look at energy transition, its priorities, and how civil society fit into the picture. It is clear how people should be the center of energy transition. Multiple perspectives, such as the gender perspective and the community perspective must be taken into account by decision-makers in formulating energy and climate policies to ensure that no one is left behind, achieving a just energy transition for all.
(NA)