The Department of Energy at the Prime Minister's Office of Brunei Darussalam, in collaboration with the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) is hosting a two-day seminar to encourage regional knowledge transfer and enhance understanding for an accelerated “just" energy transition. With the theme, “A Just Energy Transition Towards Green and Sustainable Development in Southeast Asia", the seminar brings together regional and local experts, energy players, academia, researchers, government officials, financial institutions and youth to participate in the discussions and deliverables. The seminar is being held from 10th to 11th July 2023 at the International Convention Centre (ICC) as part of a series of seminars, organized in conjunction with the Brunei Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition 2023 (Brunei MYCE 2023). Present as the Guest of Honour during the opening ceremony was Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (R) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Minister of Defence II.
Also in attendance were Yang Mulia Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Matsatejo bin Sokiaw, Deputy Minister (Energy) at the Prime Minister's Office, Yang Mulia Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Sufian bin Haji Sabtu, Deputy Minister (Security and Law), Prime Minister's Office, Yang Mulia Dato Seri Paduka Awang Mohd Riza bin Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yunos, Deputy Minister (Civil Service Governance), Prime Minister's Office, Member of the Legislative Council, Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, Senior Government Officials, Chief Executive Officers and Managing Directors of Statutory Bodies and Companies.
The theme for this year's Seminar emphasises on a regional call for a concerted action to accelerate regional energy transition, while ensuring fairness and inclusivity to economies, societies and communities. It also calls for an integrated commitment to bring reliable supply of affordable electricity to the region, while maintaining energy security and climate ambitions. Through moderated dialogue, the seminar seeks to strengthen cooperation and reaffirm commitment to achieve low carbon economy at a national and regional level. It aims to explore innovative approaches, strategies, policy recommendations, funding modalities, business opportunities and development of new practices among diverse stakeholders in pursuit of a fair, socially inclusive transition across the energy sector.
Brunei Darussalam's energy transition strategy is aligned to the objective of the seminar. The country is committed in transitioning towards a low carbon economy to safeguard the nation's energy security and environment. Notably, the Brunei Darussalam National Climate Change Policy (BNCCP) outlines several decarbonization strategies that targets the transformation of the country's power sector into a greener and more sustainable energy future through an increase in the share of renewable energy technologies. This strategy targets an increased generation capacity of 200 MW and minimum 30 percent in the energy mix is the share of solar power by 2025 and 2035 respectively.
During the seminar, the topics are aimed to conceptualize synergies and mutual grounds in contributing to a well-coordinated energy transition strategy with other Southeast Asian nations, and serve as a platform to reach out to regional stakeholders. The panel of experts share their knowledge and provide deliberation on several aspects such as the technicality, regulation, financing methods and capacity development surrounding energy transition. The sessions are 1) Clean Energy Deployment for a Just Energy Transition, 2) Emerging Technologies for Clean Energy Future, 3) Energy Interconnection in Securing Energy Transition, and 4) Exploring Financing Mechanisms for Energy Transition.
The panel discussion on Exploring Financing Mechanisms brings together various perspectives, especially in countries with deep dependence on fossil fuels. This session will examine innovative financing mechanisms and financial measures to accelerate energy transition.
A total number of 370 participants joined the seminar and had the opportunity to establish networking ties and exchange ideas with professionals, subject matter expert speakers and leaders of various fields. The Energy Seminar also welcomed experts and speakers virtually through live broadcasts.
As a side line event to the seminar, international participants will also have the opportunity to visit places of interest such as the Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and Brunei Energy Hub.
Brunei Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition 2023 (Brunei MYCE 2023) is organized by the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism through the Tourism Development Department in collaboration with local and international government agencies, statutory bodies, higher educational institutions, stakeholders and private agencies. The Brunei MYCE 2023 is also fully supported by several official media partners, namely Radio Television Brunei (RTB), the Information Department (Pelita Brunei) and Brunei Press Sdn Bhd.
