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October
Biden joins Southeast Asian leaders to rebuke Myanmar junta excluded from summit
Written by Nur Yasmin
U.S. President Joe Biden joined Southeast Asian leaders in rebuking Myanmar's junta on Tuesday, as a regional summit opened without a representative from the country following its top general's exclusion for ignoring peace proposals.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) had said it would accept a non-political figure from Myanmar at the virtual meeting, but the junta rejected that, saying it would only agree to its leader or a minister attending.
In an unprecedented snub to the leader of a member state, ASEAN had decided to sideline junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, who led a Feb. 1 coup that spiralled into violence and chaos, for his failure to cease hostilities, allow humanitarian access and start dialogue, as agreed with ASEAN.
The decision was a huge rebuke to Myanmar's military and a rare, bold step by a regional bloc known for its code of consensus, non-interference and engagement.
"Today, ASEAN did not expel Myanmar from ASEAN's framework. Myanmar abandoned its right," said Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who will be the group's chairman next year.
"Now we are in the situation of ASEAN minus one. It is not because of ASEAN, but because of Myanmar."
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said ASEAN had a slot ready for Myanmar, but it chose not to join.
At the virtual summit, Biden voiced "grave concerns" over the violence in Myanmar and called on its military to release people who have been unjustly detained, the White House said.
Myanmar said its absence was "due to denial for the Head of State or Head of Government or his Ministerial level representation." A foreign ministry statement said it "does not intend to show its protest against ASEAN or to boycott ASEAN."
Addressing leaders, Indonesian President Joko Widodo lamented Myanmar's "unwelcome attitude" towards ASEAN's diplomatic efforts, Retno said.
"It's important for us to honour the principles of non-interference. But on the other hand, we're obligated to uphold other principles ... like democracy, good governance, respect for human rights, and a constitutional government," she said, quoting the president.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of ASEAN chair Brunei said Myanmar should be given space to return to normalcy in line with ASEAN's principle of non-interference. read more
The region's leaders urged "the mediation of the situation in Myanmar to uphold ASEAN's credibility", he said in a statement.
It was Brunei, with majority backing, that had decided to exclude the junta leader.
Myanmar's military, which has ruled the country for 49 of the past 60 years, has accusing ASEAN of departing from its norms and of allowing itself to be influenced by other countries, including the United States.
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a retired general considered the ASEAN leader closest to Myanmar's coup-makers, urged the country to implement a five-point roadmap it agreed with ASEAN.
CREDIBILITY AT STAKE
"ASEAN's constructive role in addressing this situation is of paramount importance and our action on this matter shall have a bearing on ASEAN's credibility in the eyes of the international community," said Prayuth, who first came to power in a 2014 coup before his party won elections five years later.
ASEAN acted days after its special envoy, Erywan Yusof, said the junta denied him sufficient access, including to ousted elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is charged with multiple crimes.
Suu Kyi, 76, appeared in court on Tuesday and denied one of the charges, incitement to cause public alarm, media reported. read more
Prayuth said he was hopeful the junta would trust ASEAN's intentions and that Erywan could visit Myanmar soon and make an "important first step in the process of confidence-building".
U.N. envoys say that since the coup, Myanmar security forces have killed more than 1,000 people and detained thousands, many tortured and beaten.
Myanmar has rejected this as biased and exaggerated by unreliable sources and blames "terrorists" loyal to a shadow National Unity Government (NUG), an alliance of anti-coup groups, militias and ethnic minority rebels.
U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met NUG representatives on Monday. read more
Sullivan told a White House briefing on Tuesday he had praised their "courage and commitment" and discussed humanitarian aid and "diplomacy with the key countries in the region and those with influence on the military junta, and how the United States could send strong messages to those countries."
Biden attended a joint session with ASEAN, the first time in four years Washington has engaged at the top level with a bloc it sees as key to countering an increasingly assertive China. read more
Biden said ASEAN nations can expect him to personally show up in the region in future.
"Our partnership is essential to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, which has been the foundation of our shared security and prosperity for many decades," he said. (Reuters)
October
UK launches Presidency Program to drive global climate ambitions at COP26
Written by nuke
UK Big Ben, London -
The UK has launched its program of Presidential events for the two-week COP26 summit, which takes place in Glasgow from 31 October - 12 November.
The program began with a World Leaders Summit (1-2 November), hosted by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, attended by more than 120 leaders who have confirmed their attendance, including the President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo.
All world leaders have been encouraged to take ambitious actions to reduce emissions – including net zero and coal, cars and trees, step up actions to adapt to climate change impacts and mobilize finance, and collectively signify their commitment to defending the important goals of the Paris Agreement. to limit global temperature rise below 2C, and as close as possible to 1.5C.
Along with some formal negotiations, the two-week presidential program event will highlight how all walks of life and the global economy are supporting ambitious climate action.
This series of events will also discuss several main themes, namely finance, adapting to the impacts of climate change, energy transition, nature and land use, gender, and youth. UK Treasury Secretary Rishi Sunak will open on day one, with discussions on how funding can be made available to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, and UK government ministries will attend the entire two-week event.
Other events include encouraging discussion on the shift from coal to clean energy; responding to a recent IPCC report to be discussed at Science and Innovation day; and a meeting of the ministers of education and climate change with youth to discuss the importance of education in creating a climate positive future.
On Adaptation, Loss & Damage day, frontline communities will share their experiences of the worst impacts of climate change. This was followed by a ministerial-level discussion regarding adaptation efforts to the impacts of climate change.
Summit participants will also be able to be inspired by the more than 80 Pavilions that will be showcased by countries, civil society and international organizations hosting their own program of events, including Indonesia. In line with the UK's commitment to inclusivity, COP26 is the first climate change conference to propose a joint pavilion, allowing delegates to host events in a pavilion built by the UK.
The UK is also publicizing its program for the British Pavilion, which will support the main objectives of the COP26 Presidency, demonstrating leadership and action on the UK's climate now, and into the future. For example, in the last 30 years, the UK economy has grown by 78%, while emissions have been reduced by 44% - showing that you can grow your economy and tackle climate change at the same time. This means the UK has decarbonized faster than any other G20 nation and reduced greenhouse gas emissions faster than any other G7 country since 2010. And the UK has committed to fully shifting to new and renewable energy sources by 2035 with a focus on wind power, hydrogen and nuclear energy.
The British Pavilion will feature a variety of partners and events, including gender equality, and support local communities and local forest communities.
“There are only 5 days left until the start of COP26 in Glasgow. It's great that Indonesia will come and be seen – and Indonesia's flagship pavilion program is no exception. We hope that COP26 will build on the momentum gained through the G7 Summit, the UN General Assembly last month, and the G20 meeting in Italy. The time for only warm words is over. The world's largest economy does need to act, and set an example. Climate change and global warming are so urgent that we are asked to take action now – not only for future generations, but for our own survival.” British Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor Leste Owen Jenkins said.
The Presidential Program themed days will cover finance; energy; youth and community empowerment; nature and land use; adaptation, loss and damage; gender; science and innovation; transportation and the city, region and built environment.
The public can also engage with the more than 200 events taking place in the UK-run Green Zone in Glasgow between Monday, 1 November and Friday 12 November//VOI-NK
October
Myanmar junta rebuked by SE Asian leaders after ASEAN summit no-show
Written by Nur Yasmin
Southeast Asian leaders sharply criticised Myanmar's junta as a regional summit opened on Tuesday without a representative from the country, following its top general's exclusion for ignoring a peace roadmap agreed six months ago.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) had said it would accept a non-political figure from Myanmar, but the junta on Monday rejected that, saying it would only agree to its leader or a minister attending.
In an unprecedented snub to the leader of a member state, ASEAN had decided to sideline junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, who led a Feb. 1 coup that spiralled into violence and nationwide chaos, for his failure to cease hostilities, allow humanitarian access and start dialogue with opponents, as agreed with ASEAN in April.
The decision was a huge insult to Myanmar's military and a rare, bold step by a regional grouping known for its code of consensus, non-interference and engagement.
"Today, ASEAN did not expel Myanmar from ASEAN's framework. Myanmar abandoned its right," said Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who will become the group's chairman next year.
"Now we are in the situation of ASEAN minus one. It is not because of ASEAN, but because of Myanmar."
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said ASEAN had a slot ready for Myanmar, but it chose not to join.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo in his remarks to leaders lamented Myanmar's "unwelcome attitude" towards ASEAN's diplomatic efforts, Retno said.
"ASEAN's decision to invite a Myanmar representative on a non-political level was a heavy one, but it had to be done," she said.
"The president reminded that it's important for us to honour the principles of non-interference. But on the other hand, we're obligated to uphold other principles ... like democracy, good governance, respect for human rights, and a constitutional government."
Myanmar's military, which ruled the country for 49 of the past 60 years, has objected strongly, to ASEAN's uncharacteristically strict response, accusing it of departing from its norms and of allowing itself to be influenced by other countries, including the United States.
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a retired general considered the ASEAN leader closest to Myanmar's coup-makers, urged the country to implement a five-point roadmap it agreed with ASEAN.
He said the issue was crucial for the bloc's reputation and a test of its resolve.
CREDIBILITY AT STAKE
"ASEAN's constructive role in addressing this situation is of paramount importance and our action on this matter shall have a bearing on ASEAN's credibility in the eyes of the international community," Prayuth said.
ASEAN made the call days after its special envoy Erywan Yusof said the ruling State Administrative Council (SAC) denied him sufficient access, including to ousted, democratically-elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is charged with multiple crimes.
Prayuth said he was hopeful the junta would trust ASEAN's intentions and that Erywan could visit Myanmar soon and make an "important first step in the process of confidence-building".
Myanmar security forces have killed more than 1,000 people and detained thousands more, many tortured and beaten, according to United Nations envoys, who say army offensives in civilian areas have caused massive displacement.
Myanmar has rejected that as biased and exaggerated by unreliable sources and blames "terrorists" allied with a shadow National Unity Government (NUG).
U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met on Monday with representatives of the NUG, an alliance of pro-democracy groups, militias and ethnic minority armies formed after the coup. read more
ASEAN leaders were due also to collectively meet leaders of the United States, China and South Korea, while U.S. President Joe Biden will attend a joint session by video link.
Some analysts predict a lengthy standoff between Myanmar and ASEAN after a crisis they said has exposed the bloc's weaknesses and its need to take a different approach.
Thitinan Pongsudhirak, director of the Institute of Security and International Studies at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University, said ASEAN's best chance of success was to engage outside powers and all sides in Myanmar.
"The non-interference principle no longer holds because Myanmar's armed forces lowered the standards of acceptable governance so low that it has alienated and undermined ASEAN in the international community," Thitinan said. (Reuters)
October
China's Xi will not attend Rome G20 summit in person - source
Written by Nur Yasmin
Chinese President Xi Jinping will not attend a Rome summit of the Group of 20 leading economies in person, a source close to the matter said on Tuesday.
China will be represented at the summit on Saturday and Sunday by its foreign minister while Xi, whose presence had been in doubt for some time, will join the summit remotely, the source said.
The Kremlin said last week that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not be in Rome for the summit, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador have also said they will not come. read more
The source said the absences would not compromise the chances of making good progress at the summit, which will focus mainly on climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The gathering hopes to achieve recognition from G20 leaders of the importance of limiting global warming to 1.5 decrees Celsius, the source said, and a commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by "around the middle of the century." read more
The wording on these issues will be closely watched for whether it is stronger than at a meeting of G20 energy and environment ministers in Naples in July.
At that meeting, ministers failed to reach unanimous agreement on setting dates for ending fossil fuel subsidies and phasing out coal power, and the Italian presidency asked leaders to try to bridge the differences at the Rome summit.
India also distanced itself from the part of the communique underlining the need to achieve net-zero emissions around mid-century, and suggested that emissions should be considered on a per capita basis". read more
The G20, whose countries account for 80% of global carbon emissions, is considered an important stepping stone before the United Nations COP26 climate summit next week in Scotland.
The G20 also aims to underline that rich countries should stump up $100 billion dollars per year to help poorer nations adapt to climate change.
This goal was supposed to be achieved by 2020, according to an agreement reached in 2009, but has not been met. (Reuters)
October
Singapore adds Australia, Switzerland to quarantine-free travel programme
Written by Nur Yasmin
Singapore will allow quarantine-free entry to travellers vaccinated against COVID-19 from Australia and Switzerland from Nov. 8, the city-state's aviation regulator said on Tuesday.
Singapore is slowly re-opening its borders and has expanded quarantine-free travel to nearly a dozen countries, including Germany, Canada, France, Britain and the United States, under its Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTL) programme.
Visitors can travel to Singapore under the programme if they have been fully vaccinated and tested negative in COVID-19 tests.
Singapore has been reporting more than 3,000 daily infections in recent weeks, although most are asymptomatic or mild. Over 80% of Singapore's 5.45 million population has been vaccinated.
Last week, the United States advised citizens against travel to Singapore and raised its alert for the city-state to its highest risk level. Germany has also classified Singapore as a "high-risk area". (Reuters)
October
Biden to join U.S.-ASEAN summit Trump skipped after 2017
Written by Nur Yasmin
U.S. President Joe Biden will join Southeast Asian leaders for a virtual summit on Tuesday, the first time in four years that Washington will engage at the top level with a bloc seen as key to countering an increasingly assertive China.
The United States has not met with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations at the presidential level since Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump, attended an ASEAN-U.S. meeting in Manila in 2017. During that time, U.S. relations with China deteriorated, becoming their worst in decades.
A day after the ASEAN summit, Biden will participate in the broader East Asia Summit, which brings together ASEAN and other nations in the Indo-Pacific region, a senior U.S. administration official said.
"The President's participation in these summits demonstrates our commitment to the region and to a free-and-open Indo-Pacific and to supporting the security and prosperity of our partners," the U.S. official said.
Analysts say Biden's meeting with the 10-nation bloc reflects his administration's efforts to engage allies and partners in a collective effort to push back against China.
U.S. officials have, however, avoided specific mention of China in the run-up to the meetings as they work to set up a virtual summit between Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping later this year. read more
The White House said Biden will announce plans to provide up to $102 million to expand the U.S. strategic partnership with ASEAN, which is currently chaired by Brunei, with funding going towards health, climate, economic and education programs. read more
Biden is also expected to assure ASEAN that a recent U.S. focus on engagement with India, Japan and Australia in the so-called Quad grouping and a deal to supply Australia with nuclear-powered submarines are not intended to supplant ASEAN's central regional role.
Edgard Kagan, senior director for East Asia at the White House National Security Council, stressed last week that Washington does not see the Quad as "an Asian NATO" and that it was not intended to compete with ASEAN. read more
He said Washington had an interest in working with ASEAN to ensure supply-chain resilience, on climate, and to address "common challenges on maritime issues" - an apparent reference to China's broad claims in the disputed South China Sea.
While planning to provide a modest sum to promote trade with ASEAN, Biden has given no sign of any plan to return to a regional trade framework Trump withdrew from in 2017.
Analysts said ASEAN leaders would be anxious to hear how Washington plans to engage further on trade, investment and infrastructure and of any U.S. plans to step up provision of COVID-19 vaccines to the region, which has been hard hit by the pandemic.
An Asian diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the lack of an economic element in U.S. regional engagement was a major gap at a time when countries were expanding economic ties with China.
Kagan said it was critical for the credibility of the Quad that it deliver on a pledge it made in March to supply a billion COVID-19 vaccines to Southeast Asia by the end of 2022.
That plan stalled after India, the world's largest vaccine producer, banned exports in April amid a massive domestic COVID outbreak.
The ASEAN meetings will take place without Myanmar military leader Min Aung Hlaing, who overthrew a civilian government on Feb. 1 - a rare exclusion for a grouping usually known for non-interference.
Kagan called ASEAN's move to exclude the Myanmar leader a significant step but said more needed to be done to address the challenges that country is facing. (Reuters)
October
ASEAN chair Brunei says Myanmar should be given space to return to normalcy
Written by Nur Yasmin
Myanmar should be given space to return to normalcy in line with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (ASEAN) principle of non-interference, the bloc's chair Brunei said on Tuesday.
ASEAN leaders kicked off a series of regional meetings on Tuesday without a representative from Myanmar, following its top general's exclusion for ignoring a peace roadmap agreed six months ago.
Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah "reaffirmed that Myanmar is a part of the ASEAN family and, with respect to the principle of non-interference, it is important to give Myanmar space to return to normalcy," an ASEAN statement said. (Reuters)
October
Indonesia, U.S. call on G20 to plan pandemic prevention system
Written by Nur Yasmin
The United States and Indonesia on Tuesday called for the launch of a forum to prepare for future pandemics, urging members of the Group of 20 leading economies to seize an opportunity this month to plan for an international response system.
In a joint statement, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said an upcoming forum of health and finance ministers at the G20 summit in Rome is a political window to act to prevent the next pathogen from becoming a pandemic.
"We must not lose this opportunity to demonstrate leadership with a decisive commitment to act," they said.
"We have all personally grappled with the deep human and economic cost brought on by this borderless, unforgiving pandemic. And while we are making progress in fighting COVID-19, we also face a stark reality: this will not be the last pandemic."
COVID-19 has killed 5.2 million people and infected 244 million globally, according to Reuters data. The United States and Indonesia, which have similar size populations, have been among the worst affected in their respective regions.
The G20 includes the United States, Japan, Britain, Russia, Brazil, China, Germany, Canada, Australia and South Korea, among others.
The joint statement said the pandemic exposed a lack of readiness by countries and limited international coordination, so a global mechanism for detection, prevention and information sharing was essential, to support the work of the World Health Organization.
It called for greater inclusiveness and less bureaucracy and said a joint response was critical for poorer counties that lack resources to respond fast, including with vaccinations.
"Those countries ... have a particular need for the international community to rally behind this initiative. The cost of not doing so would be devastating," it said. (Reuters)
October
Turkey and West climb down from brink of biggest diplomatic crisis
Written by Nur Yasmin
Turkey and its Western allies climbed down from a full-blown diplomatic crisis on Monday after foreign embassies said that they abide by diplomatic conventions on non-interference, averting a threatened expulsion of 10 ambassadors.
President Tayyip Erdogan, who said at the weekend he had ordered the envoys to be declared "persona non grata" for seeking the release of a jailed philanthropist, told a news conference they had stepped back and would be more careful.
"Our goal is never to create crises, it is to protect the rights, laws, honour and sovereignty of our country," Erdogan said in a televised address after chairing a Cabinet meeting.
"With a new statement made by the same embassies today, a step back was taken from this slander against our country and our nation. I believe these ambassadors ... will be more careful in their statements regarding Turkey's sovereign rights."
Despite his defiant tone, Erdogan's comments on Monday were a marked change to cool tensions after threats he made at the weekend.
The ambassadors, including the U.S. envoy, had called on authorities last week to free Osman Kavala, a philanthropist detained for four years on charges of financing protests and involvement in an attempted coup. He denies the charges.
The public call infuriated Ankara, which said the diplomats - also from Germany, France, Canada, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland - were interfering in Turkey's internal affairs.
As Erdogan convened his ministers on Monday afternoon for a session which could have confirmed the expulsions and triggered the deepest rift with the West in his 19 years in power, several embassies put out a brief statement.
"The United States notes that it maintains compliance with Article 41 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations," the U.S. Embassy said on Twitter. The other embassies published similar messages or re-tweeted the U.S. message.
A Turkish version of the U.S. statement said the embassy "confirms" compliance with the convention, which some observers said could be read to suggest that the embassies were pledging future compliance.
"Strategic ambiguity at work ... allows Erdogan's spin doctors to claim that the West has surrendered, while the English version gives the impression back home that the West has stood its ground," said former opposition parliamentarian Aykan Erdemir on Twitter.
The U.S. State Department later said Monday's statement on Twitter meant "to underscore that the statement that we put out on October 18 was consistent with Article 41", adding it would pursue dialogue with Turkey.
"We are steadfast in our commitment to promoting the rule of law, to promoting respect for human rights globally," said State Department spokesman Ned Price.
"The Biden administration seeks cooperation with Turkey on common priorities, and as with any NATO ally, we will continue to engage in dialogue to address any disagreements."
A diplomatic source said talks on a plan to reduce tensions were led by the U.S. mission and Turkish officials, including presidential adviser and spokesman Ibrahim Kalin and Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.
The envoys aimed to highlight Vienna Convention principles while seeking guidance from Turkish officials on what move might be "palatable" for Erdogan, the source said, adding they were cautiously hopeful that the Twitter statements would help ease tensions even if the Turkish government gave no assurances.
CONCERNED INVESTORS
In response to Monday's developments, the Turkish lira rallied after earlier hitting an all-time low of 9.85 to the U.S. dollar, and was at 9.5930 at 2053 GMT. It has lost almost a quarter of its value this year.
Kavala, a businessman and contributor to civil society groups, is charged with financing nationwide protests in 2013 and involvement in a failed coup in 2016. He has been held in detention while his trial continues.
Rights groups say his case is emblematic of a crackdown on dissent under Erdogan. Kavala said on Friday he would no longer attend his trial, as a fair hearing was impossible after recent comments by the president.
The diplomatic tension has added to investor concerns about Turkey's economy after the central bank, under pressure from Erdogan to support growth, unexpectedly slashed interest rates by 200 points last week despite inflation rising to nearly 20%. read more
The 10 envoys were summoned by the foreign ministry last week after calling for a just and speedy resolution to Kavala's case, and for his "urgent release".
Parliament speaker Mustafa Sentop said earlier on Monday that Turkey's constitution banned discussion of active court cases, including by Turkish politicians in parliament, and that the envoys' statement marked a "clear and disrespectful" interference.
The European Court of Human Rights called for Kavala's release two years ago, saying there was no reasonable suspicion he had committed an offence and finding his detention had been intended to silence him. (Reuters)
October
Southeast Asian nations tout green power links ahead of COP26
Written by Nur Yasmin
Southeast Asian nations are speeding up their plans to transmit renewable energy through a proposed regional power grid, with first trials set for 2022, as the area strives to meet climate change targets, government and company officials said.
Some members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are also exploring carbon capture storage (CCS) technology to reduce emissions, officials said at this week's Singapore International Energy Week conference. ASEAN has proposed that 23% of primary energy come from renewable sources by 2025.
The announcements come ahead of the U.N. COP26 climate summit starting on Oct. 31 in Glasgow, considered one of the last opportunities for countries to announce firm targets for cutting emissions this decade.
"We've heard some very positive announcements in terms of investments going into renewables," Gauri Singh, Deputy Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) said.
"ASEAN are really looking at bringing in almost one-quarter of the energy from renewables by 2025 -- that's a very ambitious goal that they've set for themselves, but I think the international cooperation, and regional cooperation are going to play a very, very important role."
Singapore will start importing renewable electricity from Malaysia by 2022 and later that year utilities in ASEAN will start transmitting the first 100 megawatts (MW) of electricity under a Laos-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore power integration project as part of a regional grid project. read more
The ASEAN grid, an idea first proposed in 1999 to enhance regional energy security, will now facilitate renewable power transmission. Australia has also been tapped for its green energy supplies with plans to export to Singapore. read more
"With the power sector accounting for almost a quarter of global emissions, decarbonising electricity generation is at the core of the global climate change effort," Gan Kim Yong, Singapore Minister for Trade and Industry said in a speech at the event.
Singapore, which depends on natural gas for almost all of its power generation, plans to import up to 4 gigawatts (GW) of low-carbon electricity by 2035, or about 30% of its total supply.
Singapore's Sunseap Group and Sembcorp Industries (SCIL.SI) and Indonesia's PLN Batam and PT Trisurya Mitra Bersama (Suryagen) signed agreements this week on new solar power projects. read more
Singapore plans to also launch standards and guidelines for renewable energy certificates that will allow companies to buy credits that verify their power is from renewable sources. read more
Still, many ASEAN countries must address their reliance on fossil fuels in their power generation mix to meet their climate targets.
For countries that are still heavily dependent on coal for power, CCS could be a solution in reducing emissions, said Arifin Tasrif, Indonesia's minister of energy and natural resources.
"The ASEAN region is still in some ways dependent on coal power... this situation must be carefully considered when setting our path towards carbon neutrality, and significant efforts should be made," Tasrif said.
Carbon capture technology is very important for Indonesia's strategy to reach its net-zero emissions goals, and the country will start using it by 2030, he said.
Exxon Mobil Corp (XOM.N) is pursuing CCS hubs across Asia and has started talks with countries on potential storage options for carbon dioxide. read more
To be sure, the region will still require further regulations and massive investments in upgrading and connecting grids across borders.
ASEAN will need at least $367 billion in the next five years to finance its energy goals, ASEAN Secretary General Lim Jock Hoi said.
The bloc needs to improve its investment environment and also expand beyond its current sources of finance to reach its energy transition targets, he added.
"Much remains to be done," Lim said. "(There is a) need to improve the investment environment for energy transition, and to expand beyond our current sources of finance." (Reuters)