00:00The arrival of the Honorable Dr. Sri Anwar bin Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, accompanied by the Honorable Dr. Ahmad.
00:08The last few years, and particularly this year, we made it very clear that one of the trust of our chairmanship is energy.
00:19Energy transition with the focus on energy or power grid, or ASEAN power grid, covering initially Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore,
00:36and coming into Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand, and then Sarawak, as of course one of these hub, energy hub in the region.
00:49Going to Indonesia and the Philippines.
00:53So, listening to the dosis for the last, some summation of the conference today, I made this reference to the fact that
01:08we have had series of meetings of ministers from, say, January this year, foreign ministers, now probably the last energy ministers meeting,
01:23and I must commend the entire ministers and the secretariat, because this is probably most substantive with formidable results seen in the collaboration of a cohesive ASEAN fraternity.
01:41These meetings, of course, come at a very pivotal moment across the world.
01:46The energy landscape is shifting under the pressures of decarbonization, supply security, and affordability.
01:56Now, for ASEAN, home to 680 million, and because we are quite productive, we can reach 700 million very soon,
02:06if you mention productivity in that sense.
02:10And, but, other than the population growth, it is still, despite the uncertainties, tariff pressures, etc.,
02:22it is still the fastest, one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
02:28And, this transformation must be managed responsibly and collectively.
02:33So, this year, the region has achieved key outcomes for the energy sector.
02:40We have adopted phase one of the ASEAN plan of action for energy cooperation,
02:45and endorsed the enhanced memorandum of understanding of the ASEAN power grid.
02:53Again, thanks to my colleagues, ASEAN, for being very, not only supportive, but, I think, energetic.
03:07Now, these decisions, major progress in regional cooperation, integration, and being able to focus on energy transition.
03:20The new plan of action will serve ASEAN's policy compass for the next decade.
03:28It sets clear pathways to expand renewable energy, improve efficiency, and strengthen regional interconnection.
03:38It also places equity at the center of our decision.
03:45This ensures that all member states advance at their own pace towards a low-carbon, sustainable, and integrated energy future.
03:57And, this is again, to my mind, an exceptional feat within the ASEAN fraternity.
04:07Now, ladies and gentlemen, a central pillar of that vision, I should say, the crown jewels, if I may, is the ASEAN power grid, the APG.
04:21Now, conceived more than two decades ago, deliberation after deliberation.
04:31But, only in the last few years, I must commend again, the ministers, for taking a more concerted action,
04:40knowing that time is the essence, that is also the Z-gist of our times.
04:49And, therefore, to achieve ASEAN's aspiration to connect our power system, share resources, and build resilience and interdependence.
05:01This will enable us to harness renewable energy potential, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, and deliver reliable, affordable electricity and energy across borders.
05:18We have long supported the APG.
05:21And, beyond our interconnection with Singapore and Thailand, we are part of the LAUPDR Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project,
05:33which has enabled multilateral power trade.
05:36So, together, we have an opportunity to embark on this phase of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines framework.
05:49And, we'll make ASEAN a truly integrated entity grid.
06:01A well-connected grid strengthens regional integration, attracts grid investment, creates quality jobs,
06:11and positions ASEAN as a hub for clean energy industries and technologies.
06:17So, we need to redouble our efforts, accelerate the process, interconnection projects, align regulatory frameworks,
06:27and deepen public-private collaboration.
06:31So, the ASEAN Energy Business Forum provides the ideal platform for these partnerships to turn plans into power lines and vision into reality.
06:44The APG is the backbone of regional cooperation that links sustainability, security, and affordability in real terms.
06:54Malaysia remains fully committed to this shared agenda.
06:58With unity of purpose, we can balance the energy trilemma and power ASEAN's growth for decades to come.
07:08But, Excellencies, friends, you know that ambition must be matched with resources.
07:16The APG requires sustained investment and innovative financing.
07:23So, again, we must commend your efforts and your ability to attract the interest of major institutions
07:34and the participation of the private sector to ensure the success of the power grid financing.
07:41Let me end by, again, expressing my gratitude and thanks and commendations.
07:50Because my other colleagues may be rather upset because if you distinguish the differences of all these conferences,
08:02and a number of those that I personally have attended, from security to digital to, of course, foreign finance, I think without exaggeration,
08:24the energy ministers' conference probably is a landmark and the most successful one just far. Thank you.
08:36But real cooperation is still being written.
08:41So, the challenge for you to return and come back next year to Manila and ensure that what we have decided can be affected as soon as possible.
08:57And finally, our fourth and final pose.
09:02You
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