Indonesia announced partnership with Japan and is set to take a leading role in Asia’s quest for a zero-emissions future by hosting the 2nd Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Ministerial Meeting from August 20th to 21st, 2024, in Jakarta. This landmark event aims to catalyze regional efforts towards achieving net-zero emissions and is expected to spark global change in climate action.
Ministers from AZEC member countries—including Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Brunei, and Australia—will gather in Jakarta to strategize and advance their collective climate goals. The meeting will be complemented by the AZEC Business Forum on August 21st, which will provide a platform for businesses to discuss decarbonization strategies, forge strategic partnerships, and explore collaborative opportunities through business matching.
Significant outcomes anticipated from the meeting include the release of the 2nd AZEC Ministerial Joint Statement and the signing of 70 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for new AZEC projects. Notably, 30 of these projects are led by Indonesia. Additionally, the Asian Zero Emission Center will be inaugurated, marking a key development in regional decarbonization efforts.
Agus Cahyono Adi, Head of the Communication, Public Information Services, and Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming initiatives. “With this surge of new projects, including 30 projects led by Indonesia, we expect increased investment and collaboration in our decarbonization efforts,” he said.
The new initiatives will span critical sectors such as electricity, transportation, and industry, setting the stage for enhanced cooperation in finance, human resource development, and the adoption of advanced policies and technologies.
Agus emphasized the importance of the meeting in showcasing Indonesia’s and other AZEC members’ commitment to net-zero emissions. “This event serves as a crucial platform for translating our commitments into concrete actions,” he said.
These agreements are aiming to deploy cutting-edge clean energy technologies and improving energy efficiency. Key high-impact agreements to be signed include a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) on Energy Sector between Indonesia and Japan and MoU on Energy Sector Decarbonization between the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and NEDO.
The 2nd AZEC Ministerial Meeting supports to drive major progress towards zero-emissions goals and support sustainable economic growth across the Asian region.
“This partnership between Indonesia and Japan highlights our shared vision for addressing climate change challenges. By leveraging clean technology and enhancing energy efficiency, we are opening new avenues for growth in the energy sector,” Agus concluded.