Bangkok set to host 37th Asean meeting on energy

Bangkok set to host 37th Asean meeting on energy

Energy Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong, fifth from left, has a group photo taken with ministry officials at a press conference on Thursday to announce Thailand's readiness to host the 37th Asean Ministers on Energy Meeting. VARUTH HIRUNYATHEB
Energy Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong, fifth from left, has a group photo taken with ministry officials at a press conference on Thursday to announce Thailand's readiness to host the 37th Asean Ministers on Energy Meeting. VARUTH HIRUNYATHEB

The Energy Ministry will be the host of the 37th Asean Ministers on Energy Meeting, which is scheduled to take place on Sept 2-6 in Bangkok.

Under the theme of "Advancing Energy Transition Through Partnership and Innovation", senior energy officials will meet on Sept 2-3, while Asean energy ministers will meet on Sept 4-5.

They will also meet with their counterparts from Asean dialogue partner countries, as well as representatives from several international organisations.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will preside over the opening ceremony.

Energy Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong said Thailand plays an important role in enhancing energy connectivity in Southeast Asia through its multilateral power trade project with Laos and Malaysia.

The project is a part of the first phase of the Asean Plan of Action on Energy Cooperation (2016-25).

"The meeting will be a good opportunity for Thailand to show its readiness to push Southeast Asia's energy goals forward," Mr Sontirat said.

The shift from fossil fuels to renewable resources will rank high on the meeting's agenda, said Mr Sontirat, before adding that energy security, access, and sustainability will be taken into account in the discussions.

As Thailand holds Asean's rotating chairmanship this year, it will host many meetings and conferences in Bangkok -- including the 40th General Assembly of Asean-Interparliamentary Assembly between Aug 25-30, as well as the 51st Asean Economic Ministers Meeting between Sept 3-11.

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