On September 5, ASEAN governments gathered on the occasion of the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Indonesia, the chair of ASEAN 2023 to, address numbers of issues to strengthen ASEAN resilience against future shocks and leverage new growth drivers, including the green economy.
Diplomacy Festival uses the momentum to organize together with the Philippines Embassy in Rome, the temporary chair of ASEAN, the event on Green Economy. Recognizing Italy as a Development Partner, which can facilitate innovation across the ASEAN region, this event will serve as a platform to bring Italian public and Private sectors together with ASEAN countries to collaborate on green infrastructure, digital transformation and creative economy to promote sustainability and drive ASEAN’s green economy.
In the face of pressing global challenges, ASEAN nations are at a crossroads, compelled to accelerate their energy transition towards a sustainable, resilient future. The ASEAN Community Vision 2025 underscored the significance of environmental protection, climate change mitigation, and the adoption of green
technologies. Despite these aspirations, a recent United Nations report reveals that binding agreements are scarce within ASEAN, hindering effective cross-border collaboration on environmental issues. The region heavily relies on agriculture, natural resources, and forestry, which face threats from rising temperatures and decreasing rainfall. The COVID-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine further highlighted the urgent need for resilience, with higher energy costs and supply chain bottlenecks impacting ASEAN countries profoundly, according to the WEF.
The energy transition is pivotal. Collaborative efforts and partnerships, particularly with countries like Italy, are essential to rapidly adopt renewable energy sources like solar and wind. These sources not only mitigate climate change but also address energy poverty, create jobs, and enhance energy security. Effective policy incentives, net zero targets, and green growth strategies are crucial. Clear plans and policies that incentivize and de-risk investments are needed. Cross-border energy infrastructure development, shaping a collaborative ASEAN Plan of Energy Cooperation, and learning from each other can unlock
synergies.
By collectively embracing transitions through cooperation, ASEAN nations can navigate the complexities of the energy landscape, foster resilience, and pave the way for a greener, more sustainable future.
Moderator: Edward Mura
