US-ASEAN Business Council Leads Mission Alongside Annual ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meetings
(Bali) The US-ASEAN Business Council led a delegation of American firms on its annual mission to the 41st ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meetings (AMEM) in Bali Indonesia. The US-ASEAN Business Council delegation was led by the chair of its Energy & Environment Committee, Casey Delhotal, ExxonMobil’s Asia-Pacific Senior Advisor for International Government Relations; and the US-ASEAN Business Council’s Chief Policy Officer & Senior Vice President for Research, Marc Mealy.
This year’s mission highlighted ASEAN’s commitment to regional energy cooperation and focused on energy security, energy transition, and opportunities for foreign investment in the energy sector. The delegation discussed with ASEAN energy officials about the development of energy infrastructure and national energy priorities, and how infrastructure related to low carbon and renewable energy sources could help achieve goals of increased connectivity, energy efficiency, and energy security.
Marc Mealy highlighted the Council’s effort to support energy growth in ASEAN: “As one of the world’s fastest growing regions, the US private sector recognizes that ASEAN’s regional energy infrastructure initiatives (regional power grid and energy marketplace) will play critical roles in the national energy transition roadmaps of each ASEAN nation. In addition, the ASEAN region is well positioned to offer other regions concrete examples of the role that regional cooperation, technological innovation, and partnerships with the private sector can enable more resilient, inclusive and sustainable growth.”
The delegation was received by senior ASEAN Government energy officials, including:
- Secretary General Dadan Kusdiana, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Indonesia
- Hon. Raphael Perpetuo M. Lotilla, Secretary of Energy, Philippines
- Minister YB Nik Nazmi bin Nik Ahmad, Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Malaysia
- Undersecretary of State Victor Jona, Ministry of Mines and Energy, Cambodia
- Minister Ir. Arifin Tasrif, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Indonesia
Over the course of the mission, the delegation also met with Deputy Secretary David M. Turk, United States Department of Energy (DOE); Regional Energy Director Keiju Mitsuhashi, Asian Development Bank (ADB); Southeast Asia Program Manager Kieran Clarke, International Energy Agency (IEA); Assistant Director Marie Gail du Sagon, ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC).
“Proactive dialogues with the ASEAN energy ministries remain a priority for US companies with key operations in the region. The private sector remains a critical partner for government in developing policy and planning for future energy needs. We look forward to working with the US-ASEAN Business Council in forging long-term partnerships in Southeast Asia,” said Casey Delhotal.
Delegates also engaged the Ministers bilaterally to discuss energy transition and energy security. Companies participating in the mission included ExxonMobil, BP, Google, and S&P Global. Through this mission, US-ABC’s members have reaffirmed their commitment to being partners of ASEAN governments to on the development of ASEAN’s economy and energy industry.