The Eighteenth ASEAN Ministers of Energy Meeting (AMEM) was held on 3 July 2000 in Ha Noi, Viet Nam. The Meeting was preceded by the First SOME-MITI Consultations and the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Energy (SOME) held on 30 June-1 July 2000.

H.E. Mr. Phan Van Khai, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, officially opened the Eighteenth AMEM.

The Prime Minister stated that energy is among the important areas of cooperation in the Hanoi Plan of Action. He expressed that Viet Nam highly recognized the achievements of energy cooperation among ASEAN member countries and the assistance and support of ASEAN dialogue partners and other countries in the development of the ASEAN energy sector.

H.E. Dr. Dang Vu Chu, Minister of Industry of Viet Nam, chaired the 18th AMEM, with H.E. Pehin Dato Abdul Rahman Taib, Minister of Industry and Primary Resources of Brunei Darussalam, as Vice-Chairman.

H.E. Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Minister of Mines and Energy of Indonesia, briefed his fellow ASEAN Energy Ministers on the activities of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). The Minister highlighted on OPEC measures to pursue stability in the oil market.

The Ministers held discussion and exchanged views on energy supply security in the ASEAN region. In this regard, the Ministers had the collective view to accelerate the realization and implementation of the ASEAN leaders� vision of an integrated trans-ASEAN energy network consisting of the ASEAN Power Grid and Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline Projects. They recognized that its expeditious implementation would significantly enhance economic integration in the ASEAN region.

The Ministers acknowledged that the development of energy infrastructure, diversification of energy supply, improvement in energy efficiency and the utilization of new and renewable energy technologies in ASEAN would greatly contribute to the region�s sustainability and security of energy supply. They underscored, among others, the importance of developing master plans for the power grid and gas pipeline projects, accelerating international and local finance and capital to bring these energy projects to reality, promoting clean energy and sustainable development, and creating a conducive policy environment for energy trade and investment as priority cooperation areas in the ASEAN energy sector.

The Ministers were gratified that the SOME sub-sector networks and ASEAN energy-related institutions had set in place the implementing mechanisms to carry out the programs and activities under ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation 1999-2004. In particular, the Ministers recognized the following notable achievements and developments in the first-year implementation of the Plan of Action:

• Formation of the ASEAN Interconnection Master Plan Study Working Group to address the viability of electricity interconnection projects, associated commercial and regulatory issues, and future energy trading in the ASEAN region;

• Initiative taken by the Heads of ASEAN Power Utilities/Authorities (HAPUA) to consider establishing a joint venture company to provide equity investment and undertake implementation of ASEAN interconnection projects;

• Finalization of the Master Plan of the Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline Project (TAGP) by 2001;

• Initiative taken by the ASEAN Council of Petroleum (ASCOPE) to forge a regional �Memorandum of Understanding�, for the TAGP implementation;

• Establishment of the ASEAN Forum on Coal (AFOC) and the various AFOC National Committees, to promote intra-ASEAN coal trade and investment and coal supply for power generation, among others; and

• Launching of the annual ASEAN Energy Awards starting with a Competition on Energy Efficiency and Conservation Best Practices for Energy Efficient Buildings, to recognize outstanding achievements in efficient energy use and publicize innovations and progress in energy efficiency in the ASEAN region.

The Ministers were also pleased with the technical assistance being coordinated by the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and the ASEAN Secretariat, to support the various programs and activities under the Plan of Action, particularly those coming from ASEAN Dialogue Partners.

The Ministers welcomed the holding of the annual SOME-MITI Consultations, to strengthen policy dialogue, to promote transfer of technology and to enhance project cooperation in mutually beneficial areas between Japan and ASEAN in the energy sector. They welcomed the SOME-MITI energy cooperation activities which cover Energy Security Planning, Energy Efficiency and Conservation and New and Renewable Energy for the period 2000-2001, as adopted in the First SOME-MITI Consultations held on 30 June 2000 in Ha Noi.

The Ministers noted that ASCOPE members are pursuing joint activities and opportunities in exploration and production, processing and refining, trading and marketing, and in technology and services.

On the Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline Project, the Ministers emphasized on the need to synergize the gas pipeline development with the power development plans of ASEAN member countries and to integrate the national gas systems with the regional network.

The Ministers congratulated the Revenue House of Singapore and EGCO Building of Thailand as the Winner and Runner-Up, respectively, of the First ASEAN Energy Awards. The Awardees were selected through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Best Practices Competition for Energy Efficient Buildings conducted for the first time this year by the ASEAN EE&C Sub-sector Network in cooperation with the ACE. Eleven entries nominated by EE&C specialists in ASEAN member countries vied for the awards. The final judging was held on 23-24 May 2000 in Singapore.

ACE Activities

The Ministers were glad to note the report on the first year of the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and the encouraging progress in implementing the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation 1999-2004. The Ministers commended the Centre for its focus on regional energy planning, policy formulation, infrastructure development and promotion of renewable and environment-friendly energy systems.

The Ministers encouraged the participation of all ASEAN member countries in the following ASEAN energy related events:

• Business and Investment Forum for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in Asia and the Pacific, 4 - 7 September 2000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and.

• Workshop on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) / Conference of Electric Power Supply Industry (CEPSI) 2000 , 23 - 27 October 2000, Manila, Philippines.

The Nineteenth AMEM will be held in Brunei Darussalam in the first week of July 2001.

The 18th AMEM was held in the traditional spirit of ASEAN cordiality and solidarity.

H.E. PEHIN DATO ABDUL RAHMAN TAIB

Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Brunei Darussalam

H.E. MR. SUY SEM

Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy, Cambodia

H.E. MR. SUSILO BAMBANG YUDHOYONO

Minister of Mines and Energy, Indonesia

H.E. MR. SOULIVONG DARAVONG

Minister of Industry and Handicrafts, Lao PDR

H.E. DATUK TAN CHAI HO

Deputy Minister of Energy, Communications and Multimedia, Malaysia

H.E. BRIG. GEN. LUN THI

Minister of Energy, Myanmar

H.E. MR. MARIO V. TIAOQUI

Secretary of Energy, Philippines

H.E. MR. LIM SWEE SAY

Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Singapore

H.E. DR. SAVIT BHOTIWIHOK

Minister to the Prime Minister's Office, Thailand

H.E. DR. DANG VU CHU

Minister of Industry, Vietnam

and

H.E. MR. RODOLFO C. SEVERINO, JR
ASEAN Secretary-General
represented by
DR. ROBERT R. TEH, JR
Director, Bureau of Trade, Industry and Services
ASEAN Secretariat)