Da Lat, 23 July 2010

The ASEAN energy sector has been urged to focus on providing support for greener economic activities to maintain sustainable development in the region. This includes the region’s flagship projects on electricity, gas and oil pipelines, energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean development mechanism, the Prime Minister of Viet Nam said yesterday.  

Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of the 28th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) in Da Lat, Viet Nam, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung commended the AMEM for setting “Energy and Climate Change” as the theme for the 28th AMEM. This, he  said, clearly demonstrated ASEAN cooperation priorities and commitment to action for sustainable development and in addressing global and regional pressing challenges. He also called for a stronger engagement with the private sector, dialogue partners and international community to develop low carbon economies.

In his Opening Remarks, the Prime Minister highlighted that “during the past years, ASEAN members have shown a strong sense of unity and been working closely together for the implementation of new initiatives and cooperation programmes in different fields and for realising the ASEAN Charter and building the ASEAN Community.” He wished the ASEAN Energy Ministers and Heads of Delegation fruitful discussions and looked forward initiatives and measures to realise the energy priority objectives in 2010.

The  7th ASEAN+3 Energy Ministers Meeting and the 4th East Asia Summit (EAS) Energy Ministers Meeting were also held back-to-back with the AMEM.