BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (Energy, Upstream and Downstream) Datuk Seri Setia Awang Mohamad Azmi Mohd Hanifah reaffirmed Brunei Darussalam’s commitment to strengthening regional cooperation, energy security, and resilience through continued collaboration among Asean member states and dialogue partners at the 44th Asean Ministers on Energy Meeting (44th AMEM) and its Associated Meetings held from October 6-8, 2026 at the Philippines International Convention Centre in Manila, Philippines.
During the meeting, the minister highlighted the Sultanate’s contributions to advancing the Asean Power Grid, including the proposed cross-border power interconnection project with Sarawak and the development of the Submarine Power Cable Development Framework to enhance regional energy connectivity and sub-regional integration.
The meeting was chaired by Secretary of the Department of Energy of the Philippines Sharon S Garin, with Minister for Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) of the Republic of Singapore Dr Tan See Leng serving as Vice Chair.
Guided by the theme ‘Navigating Our Future Together’, the discussions aligned the Asean Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2026–2030 with the four pillars of the Asean Philippines 2026 Chairmanship: securing people through inclusive and reliable energy, powering jobs and economic growth, fostering innovation through emerging technologies and digitalisation, and building resilience through stronger systems.
The gathering convened Asean energy ministers, Senior Official on Energy (SOE) leaders, dialogue partners, and international organisations for high-level discussions to advance regional energy priorities under APAEC 2026-2030.
Progress reviewed during the session centred on three main priority areas, namely strengthening regional energy cooperation and connectivity; enhancing energy security, resilience, and accelerating the energy transition; and advancing sustainable and inclusive energy development.
Asean member states have collectively set ambitions to achieve a 30-per-cent share of renewable energy in total primary energy supply (TPES) and a 45-per-cent share in installed power capacity by 2030, alongside a 40 per cent reduction in energy intensity based on TPES by 2030.
Regional platforms, including the Energy Security Forum as well as the Oil Market and Natural Gas Forum and Business Dialogue, provided further opportunities for exchanging knowledge, sharing best practices, and promoting practical cooperation in support of regional goals.
Associated ministerial sessions conducted during the event included the 23rd AMEM Plus Three (23rd AMEM+3), the 20th East Asia Summit Energy Ministerial Meeting (20th EAS EMM), the 5th AMEM-United States Dialogue, and the AMEM-International Energy Agency (IEA)-International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Dialogue.
The meetings endorsed the Joint Media Statements of the 44th AMEM, the 23rd Asean+3 Energy Ministers Meeting, and the 20th East Asia Summit Energy Ministers Meeting.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Awang held bilateral engagements with Sharon S Garin and Dr Tan See Leng to explore expanded partnerships.
Awang also attended the 4th Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Ministerial Meeting on Oct 8.
Co-chaired by the Department of Energy of the Philippines and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, the session gathered representatives from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Participating nations jointly adopted the 4th AZEC Ministerial Meeting Joint Statement, including the AZEC Ministerial Work Programme for Strengthening Oil Stockpiling to bolster energy security across the region.
The 45th Asean Ministers on Energy Meeting is scheduled to be held in Singapore in 2027.
The minister was accompanied by Permanent Secretary (Energy, Upstream and Downstream) at the Prime Minister’s Office Pengiran Adimasyaton Pengiran Omar Ali in her capacity as Brunei Darussalam’s SOE Leader, alongside officials from the Department of Energy, Upstream and Downstream at the Prime Minister’s Office, the Department of Electrical Services at the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Brunei Climate Change Office at the Prime Minister’s Office. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
