Five highlights from the interviews and five suggestions for possible responses
Highlight: There is a need for a shorter and more focused theme that aligns better with global development trends. Suggestion: “Accelerating Energy Transition and Strengthening Resilience through Greater Innovation and Cooperation”, with goals for accessibility, affordability, energy security, energy connectivity and market integration, the SDGs, the Paris Agreement and capacity building.
Highlight: There is a need for a stronger connection between programme areas in achieving the common targets. Suggestion: Have a common target, for which all programme areas would be accountable: “Percent of CO2 Reduction in Electricity Generation from Baseline Year X”.
Highlight: There is a need to improve communication flows and a to have a more rigorous monitoring system for the progress towards APAEC targets and impacts. Suggestion: Enhance ACE’s role beyond the current one of only assisting and supporting, to becoming a managing authority.
Highlight: It would be beneficial to have additional programmes to enhance the policy relevance of APAEC: “Knowledge and Capacity Development”; “Legal and Regulatory Framework”; and “Regional Energy Security”. Suggestion: Acknowledging the importance of the proposed programmes, this could be achieved by enhancing relevant action plans in the existing programme areas.
Highlight: Agreed to hold additional discussion platforms (workshops) for the development of APAEC Phase II. Suggestion: ACE will organise a workshop upon agreement from the member states.
