ASEAN-India High-Level Conference on Renewable Energy: Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) India High-Level Conference on Renewable Energy virtually commenced on February 7-8 2022.

Key Highlights about the conference:

• The conference on renewable energy is being organized by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of Government of India (GoI).
• Secretary of State, Ministry of Mines and Energy of Cambodia Tun Lean the current chair of ASEAN, and Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Bhagwanth Khuba delivered special addresses.
• The dignitaries talked about the renewable energy ambitions, progress made and priority areas for their countries and reiterated their commitment to taking India-ASEAN cooperation in the sector forward.
• Director General, International Solar Alliance (ISA) briefed the Ministers on the vision and plans of the ISA and potential benefits for ASEAN member countries joining the alliance.
• The ASEAN-India high-level conference will feature 5 technical sessions which would facilitate peer to peer discussions between experts from India and the ASEAN on themes of mutual interest.
• The high-level conference, over a period of two days, will focus on the theme: “Experience and Innovations for Integrated Renewable Market”.
• Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy R K Singh delivered the keynote address.

Key Points of MNRE Minister's address:

• Indian Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy R K Singh highlighted that, India and ASEAN can together develop an entire ecosystem for renewable energy (RE).
• They will also explore the joint initiative to build RE manufacturing hubs in the region.
• He applauded ASEAN’s efforts for achieving the development of an ASEAN power grid.
• He said that India foresees opportunities to expand this grid integration beyond ASEAN to the Indian sub-continent in line with the One Sun One World One Grid initiative.
• He also said that both sides can work together for developing an entire ecosystem for renewable which promotes knowledge sharing, technical assistance and capacity building.
• He noted that both sides can also explore joint initiatives to develop renewable energy manufacturing hubs in the region.
• The Minister congratulated Indonesia for taking over the presidency of G20 in 2022 and said that India will work closely with the Indonesian Presidency on facilitating as well as accelerating the global energy transition.
• He reiterated India’s commitment to work together with ASEAN to establish a strong relationship in the renewable sector based on the foundation of historical and cultural ties between ASEAN and India.
• The Ministers stressed the need for further strengthening of India-ASEAN cooperation in the renewable sector and looked forward to the conference to identify concrete areas and initiatives in this regard.

Dr. Vibha Dhawan, Director General, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) concluded the Ministerial session with a Vote of Thanks.

About ASEAN:

• ASEAN refers to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
• It is a regional intergovernmental organization and it comprises of 10 countries in Southeast Asia.
• It was created on 8 August 1967 by 5 countries namely Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand.
• The ASEAN Secretariat is located at Jakarta, Indonesia.
• It was created with an aim to promote intergovernmental cooperation.
• The organization also facilitates political, economic, military, educational, security, and socio-cultural integration among its members as well as in other countries in Asia.
• ASEAN has been India’s utmost priority under its Act East Policy.
• The 10 member countries are Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Cambodia, Myanmar (Burma), Laos
• Chairmanship of ASEAN rotates annually, on the basis of alphabetical order of English names of member states.