The 29th Energy Efficiency and Conservation Sub-Sector Network (EE&C-SSN) Meeting and its associated events took place from 19 to 22 May 2025 in Putrajaya, Malaysia, to accelerate progress toward regional energy efficiency goals under the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase II.
Hosted by the Energy Commission of Malaysia in coordination with the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), the meetings served as a strategic platform to reflect on achievements and chart new pathways for policy, finance, and technology collaboration in support of ASEAN’s energy transition.
The meetings gathered representatives from nine ASEAN Member States, Dialogue Partners (DPs), the ASEAN Secretariat, and International Organisations, including the United Nations Environment Programme’s United for Efficiency (U4E) initiative.
The meeting officially commenced with opening remarks from representatives of ACE, the Energy Commission of Malaysia, and the ASEAN Secretariat, highlighting the region’s collective commitment to advancing energy efficiency as a key pillar of sustainable development. The session set the tone for four days of constructive dialogue and collaboration across sectors. A summary is available in the official ACE news article.
Catalysing Industrial and Building Sector Efficiency
The four-day event featured two public workshops focused on key sectors: industry and buildings. On 20 May, the ASEAN EE&C Workshop on Industry explored how digitalisation and targeted policy portfolios could drive industrial transformation. Discussions highlighted effective regulatory frameworks and featured real-world case studies from national energy award winners and international contributors such as ECCJ Japan, showcasing best practices for industrial digitalisation and carbon neutrality.
The following day, the ASEAN EE&C Workshop on Buildings addressed the theme “Towards Net-Zero ASEAN Buildings”, emphasising building energy certification, green public procurement (GPP), and the role of Energy Service Companies (ESCOs). Presentations included regional certification standards, such as Malaysia’s EMGS and Singapore’s Green Mark, as well as international frameworks like IFC’s EDGE. U4E presented global best practices and tools to support the adoption of Sustainable Procurements and energy-efficient building components, reinforcing the importance of public sector leadership in market transformation. The participants also underscored that, with the rapid expansion of digital infrastructure across the ASEAN region, there is an urgent need for regulatory remediation to address the surging energy demands of data centres and mitigate their environmental impact.
Deepening Regional-International Cooperation
On 22 May, the 29th EE&C-SSN Meeting gathered ASEAN focal points, ACE, and invited partners to discuss ongoing and future collaborations. U4E contributed to Agenda Item 6, presenting national updates in Malaysia and Singapore pertaining to the ASEAN Cool Initiative and emphasizing the importance of demand-side measures such as minimum energy performance standards (MEPS), energy labelling, and sustainable public procurement.
“The 29th EE&C-SSN meeting marks a pivotal moment—the conclusion of the current APAEC phase and the shaping of the region’s annual milestones. The discussions provided valuable insights, setting the stage for an upcoming APAEC that prioritizes a just and inclusive energy transition in the region’s decarbonization journey”. said Saikiran Kasamsetty, U4E Energy Efficiency Expert, who participated in the discussions on behalf of the programme.
Other international partners, including the International Energy Agency (IEA), Agence Française de Développement (AFD), METI Japan, GIZ, SEforAll, and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), also presented their ongoing and planned support, highlighting the strong ecosystem of cooperation in the region.
Supporting ASEAN’s Clean Energy Vision
All sessions aligned with Programme Area 4 of APAEC Phase II (2021–2025), particularly Outcome-Based Strategies 3 and 5, which aim to strengthen energy efficiency in buildings and industry, respectively. The EE&C-SSN and associated workshops provided a timely platform to share knowledge, build partnerships, and develop strategic alignment for the post-2025 APAEC agenda.
Watch highlights from the international delegates at the event, including U4E’s participation, in this video shared by Malaysia’s Energy Commission.
For further information on the workshop or on the ASEAN Cool activities, contact Saikiran Kasamsetty at sa*****************@**.org.
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