Celebrating Progress: Women at the Forefront of ASEAN Energy Leadership
Aldilla Noor Rakhiemah and Beni Suryadi
21 March 2025
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it offers us a moment to reflect on the meaningful progress made in enhancing gender representation in leadership, as well as the promising opportunities ahead. Discussions around gender inclusion are gaining momentum globally and within ASEAN, highlighting positive efforts to bridge gaps and build more diverse and inclusive workplaces. A recent Jakarta Post article, for example, discussed ASEAN’s readiness to welcome its first female Secretary-General by 2028, reflecting broader discussions on inclusive leadership within the region. While many sectors across ASEAN are embracing gender inclusivity, this article explores these developments specifically through the lens of the energy sector.
From our perspective at the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), we have witnessed first-hand how vital gender diversity is in driving regional energy cooperation. Established in 1999, ACE has continually contributed to shaping ASEAN’s energy policies and initiatives. As our region moves toward an inclusive and sustainable energy transition, enhancing gender diversity in leadership roles provides an avenue for further advancement.
Globally, women make up approximately 20% of the energy sector’s workforce with ASEAN at around 8%. While these numbers suggest there is room for further growth, we see many encouraging developments across ASEAN, where women have stepped into impactful leadership positions. In Brunei Darussalam, Hajah Farida binti Dato Talib serves as the Permanent Secretary (Energy) at the Prime Minister’s Office, making her Brunei’s highest-ranking energy official and its Senior Official on Energy (SOE) Leader. In Lao PDR, Ms. Santisouk Phimphachanh, Director General of the Ministry of Energy and Mines, has represented the country as SOE Leader of Lao PDR. Indonesia saw significant progress when Prof. Dr. Eng. Eniya Listiani Dewi was appointed as Director General of New and Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation in 2024, marking an important milestone for women’s leadership in the energy sector. Similarly, Malaysia energy leadership recently advanced with the appointment of Puan Mareena binti Mahpudz as Deputy Secretary-General (Energy) in the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation.
At the ministerial level, although representation remains limited, Malaysia made notable progress when Yeo Bee Yin served as Minister of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment, and Climate Change from 2018 to 2020, becoming Malaysia’s first woman to hold an energy-related ministerial portfolio.
We believe these milestones signify growing opportunities for women in ASEAN’s energy leadership and are inspiring steps toward greater inclusivity at decision-making levels.
ASEAN continues to demonstrate its commitment to gender inclusion through policy initiatives like the upcoming ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2026–2030, explicitly prioritising “a just and inclusive energy transition.” This vision aligns with global efforts to ensure that the shift to sustainable energy benefits all, including women.
Research consistently supports the benefits of diverse leadership, showing better outcomes and decision-making, particularly in industries undergoing transformation. Ensuring that women have equal opportunities to contribute at all levels of leadership will be instrumental in achieving ASEAN’s long-term energy goals.
At ACE, we have made positive strides toward gender equality, achieving a balanced 50:50 gender ratio within our workforce. We also actively incorporate gender perspectives into projects, such as the ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project (ACCEPT), showcasing the important roles women play in the energy transition.
As authors, we take pride in recent appointments within ACE. The appointment of Aldilla as Project Manager of ACCEPT, the first female project manager at ACE, is an important milestone for ASEAN’s energy transition, given ACCEPT’s role in supporting the upcoming cycle of APAEC 2026–2030. ACCEPT aims to strengthen synergy between climate and energy policies, directly aligning with APAEC’s overarching theme of a “Just and Inclusive Energy Transition.”
Similarly, Dr. Tharinya Supasa’s recent appointment as the first female Manager heading ACE’s Sustainable Renewable Energy (SRE) Department is another notable milestone. Her leadership is essential, as the SRE Department is responsible for guiding ASEAN’s renewable energy targets to achieve a 35% renewable energy share in installed power capacity and 23% in total primary energy supply (TPES) by 2025, as outlined in APAEC. These leadership advancements symbolise the growing potential for greater inclusivity in senior positions. We see this momentum as paving the way for ACE to potentially appoint its first female Executive Director, a significant milestone that would reflect ASEAN’s broader commitment to equity.
Many ASEAN Institutions have already set inspiring examples of successful female leadership. The ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA Centre) was led by Ms. Adelina Kamal from 2017 to 2021, showing that women can effectively steer regional cooperation efforts. The ASEAN Foundation, focused on socio-cultural development, was headed by Dr. Yang Mee Eng of Malaysia, and the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) appointed Dr. Theresa Mundita S. Lim as its first female Executive Director in 2018.
We believe these examples illustrate the tangible benefits ASEAN institutions can gain from female leadership. With ASEAN’s renewed focus on inclusivity under the APAEC 2026–2030, the timing is ideal for ACE to consider having its first female leader by 2030, aligning with the region’s broader commitments to diversity and equity in energy governance. As ASEAN continues to advance its energy transition goals, ACE is well-positioned to consider how gender-inclusive leadership can further enhance its mission.
Greater diversity in leadership brings broader perspectives on energy policy, particularly in shaping a transition that is equitable and sustainable. Women in leadership roles are often associated with a stronger emphasis on social impact, community-driven approaches, and inclusive policies, all of which are crucial in a just energy transition.
The visibility of women in leadership positions can also inspire more young women across ASEAN to pursue careers in energy, helping to bridge the gender gap in the sector. With ACE already taking steps toward gender balance in its workforce and programming, further progress in leadership representation would reinforce ASEAN’s broader commitments to inclusivity.
Additionally, gender diversity in governance is increasingly recognised as essential for institutional effectiveness. Ensuring women have leadership roles in energy decision-making would enhance ASEAN’s ability to implement inclusive policies that consider a wider range of societal needs.
As ASEAN advances its energy cooperation, there is an optimistic outlook for increasing gender diversity in leadership. Encouraging more women to take senior roles in energy institutions, including at ACE, aligns perfectly with ASEAN’s inclusive and sustainable vision.
International Women’s Day reminds us that gender equity positively influences effectiveness and innovation. An inclusive energy transition, reflecting the diversity of ASEAN’s talent, can drive the region toward a resilient and prosperous future.
The region’s commitments, the available talent, and the moment for progress all align. By continuing to promote gender diversity at all levels, ASEAN and ACE will continue to inspire greater collaboration, strengthen regional energy cooperation, and build an inclusive, sustainable energy future for all.
