28 September 2016 -- Philippine Department of Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said upon accepting the chairmanship of the 35th ASEAN Ministers for Energy Meeting that the Philippines is a model for renewable energy in the region where around 32% of the energy being used is renewable.
Secretary Cusi accepted the chairmanship of the 35th AMEM at the conclusion of the 34th AMEM where ASEAN Energy Ministers pledged to enhance cooperation in areas of energy security, efficiency, and sustainability.
With the theme of "Toward Greener Community with Cleaner Energy", the Energy Ministers gathered at the Myanmar International Convention Center in Nay Pyi Taw on Wednesday for the opening ceremonies held in conjunction with a paper-reading session of the ASEAN Energy Business Forum.
In his opening address, Union Minister for Electricity and Energy U Pe Zin Tun called for an active discussion of policies and work programs for the development of energy sector in the region. “We face geopolitical and climate challenges that impact on our energy security,” he said.
The high-level meeting discussed strategies to achieve aspirational targets to improve energy efficiency, increase uptake of renewable energy sources of up to 23%, and reduce energy intensity by 20% in 2020 in line with the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2016-2020.
Myanmar Deputy Minister of Energy and Electricity Tun Naing said the meeting reached an agreement on enhancing connectivity for energy security and accessibility through the construction of more gas pipelines, promoting the technology for use of coal and clean coal, and implementing civilian nuclear energy in 2016 to 2017. END
