The 43rd ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) and its Associated Meetings convened with a renewed commitment to advancing ASEAN’s regional energy cooperation, addressing shared challenges, and accelerating the region’s transition toward a more secure, sustainable, and integrated energy future.
Brunei Darussalam’s delegation to this meeting was led by The Honourable Pehin Datu Lailaraja Retired Major General Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II, also as the Minister in charge of Energy. The honourable is accompanied by Yang Mulia Hajah Farida binti Dato Seri Paduka Haji Talib, Permanent Secretary (Energy) as Brunei Darussalam’s Senior Official for Energy (SOE) Leader, and officials from the Department of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Held over two days from 16th to 17th October, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Malaysia, the meeting was hosted under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship for 2025, with the theme “Powering ASEAN: Bridging Boundaries, Building Prosperity.” This theme complements the overarching ASEAN Chairmanship focus on “Inclusivity and Sustainability” and underscores efforts to advance the ASEAN Power Grid (APG), fostering enhanced regional energy connectivity and sustainable economic growth. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim inaugrated the joint opening ceremony of the 43rd ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) and related meetings, as well as the 25th ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF).
The meeting marked a significant milestone in ASEAN’s energy cooperation with the signing of the Enhanced Memorandum of Understanding on the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) and the new ASEAN Framework Agreement on Petroleum Security (APSA). The APG was reaffirmed as central to promoting regional power trade, enhancing energy security, and supporting renewable energy integration whilst the new APSA was recognised as a vital mechanism to ensure oil and gas security during supply disruptions, improve emergency response coordination, and strengthen the region’s overall energy system resilience. In addition, the meeting announced the launch of the ASEAN Power Grid Financing Initiative (APGF), a regional mechanism designed to mobilise public and private investments in transmission infrastructure and interconnection projects.
The Meeting endorsed the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2026–2030, with the theme, “Advancing Regional Cooperation in Ensuring Energy Security and Accelerating Decarbonisation for a Just and Inclusive Energy Transition”, which will serve as the guiding blueprint for ASEAN’s energy agenda in the next five years. The APAEC 2026–2030 was recognised as a landmark achievement, aligning ASEAN’s energy priorities with the ASEAN Vision 2045 and the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Strategic Plan 2026–2030. It sets clear pathways for ensuring energy security, advancing regional interconnectivity, scaling up renewable energy deployment, enhancing energy efficiency, and embracing emerging technologies. The Meeting reaffirmed the importance of strengthening partnerships with Dialogue Partners and International Organisations to support ASEAN’s energy transition. The Meeting welcomed the ongoing and new initiatives under various collaboration with Dialogue Partners and International organisations, aimed to support the APAEC implementation.
On the sidelines of the meeting, The Honourable engaged in discussions with fellow ASEAN energy leaders, including Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation of Malaysia, who chaired the 43rd AMEM, as well as The Honourable Francisco Da Costa Monteiro, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources of Timor-Leste.
The meeting endorsed the Joint Media Statement of the 43rd AMEM, the 22nd ASEAN+3 Energy Ministers Meeting, and the 19th East Asia Summit Energy Ministers Meeting. In addition to the 43rd AMEM, Brunei Darussalam also participated in several high-level dialogues, including engagements with the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), as part of ASEAN’s ongoing collaboration with international partners to advance regional energy transition efforts.
Alongside the 43rd AMEM meetings, The Honourable also attended the 3rd Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Ministerial Meeting held on the afternoon of 17th October, adjacent to the 43rd AMEM. AZEC is an initiative proposed by the Government of Japan in 2023 to promote decarbonization and carbon neutrality in the Asian region among participating countries, including Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. During the meeting, partner countries jointly endorsed the 3rd AZEC Ministerial Meeting Joint Statement, which embraces the concept of “One Goal, Various Pathways” in pursuing efforts to address climate change, promote inclusive economic growth and achieve energy security, in line with international agreements, which recognises the unique economic, social and historical circumstances of developing countries. The discussion at this meeting will be concluded at the AZEC Leaders Meeting.
The 44th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting is scheduled to be held in 2026 in the Philippines.
