Promoting cross-border energy cooperation and green transition

On behalf of the Minister of Industry and Trade, Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long led the Vietnamese delegation to attend the 43rd ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM 43) and related meetings from October 16 - 17, 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The delegation included representatives from key departments under the Ministry of Industry and Trade - the Electricity Regulatory Authority, the Department of Oil, Gas and Coal, the Department of Innovation, Green Transition and Industrial Promotion along with leaders of energy corporations and enterprises.

AMEM 43 gathered Energy Ministers and Deputy Ministers from the ten ASEAN member states, the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN, the Executive Director of the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), representatives from the ASEAN Council on Petroleum (ASCOPE), and the Heads of ASEAN Power Utilities/Authorities (HAPUA). The Energy Minister of Timor-Leste attended as an observer. The series also included the 22nd AMEM+3 Meeting (with Japan, the Republic of Korea, and China), the 43rd AMEM-IRENA and AMEM-IEA Meetings, the 4th ASEAN–United States Energy Dialogue, and the 19th East Asia Summit Energy Ministers Meeting (EAS EMM), involving ASEAN, China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Australia, the United States, India, and the Russian Federation.

Preparatory discussions for AMEM 43 were conducted at the Senior Officials Meeting on Energy (SOME) held on October 14 - 15.

Under the theme “Energising ASEAN: Connecting Borders, Building Prosperity”, AMEM 43 reaffirmed the region’s commitment to advancing cross-border energy cooperation, clean energy transition, and energy security. Ministers adopted several key initiatives, including the Memorandum of Understanding on Enhancing the ASEAN Power Grid (APG), the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), and the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2026 - 2030. Targets were set for 30% renewable energy in total primary energy supply and a 40% reduction in energy intensity by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.

The Ministers also acknowledged the success of multilateral power trade projects such as Lao, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore Power Integration Project (LTMS-PIP) and the progress of the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines Power Integration Project (BIMP-PIP). They underscored the critical role of ACE and international partners including Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United States, IEA, and IRENA in supporting the region’s energy transition. Furthermore, ASEAN reiterated its support for Timor-Leste in preparing to accede to ASEAN’s legal instruments related to energy cooperation.

At the 22nd AMEM+3, Ministers recognized initiatives in nuclear energy, clean coal technologies, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), hydrogen and ammonia utilization, as well as cooperation in power safety and renewable energy management. Japan, Korea, and China reaffirmed their active engagement through capacity building, joint research, and policy support programs.

The 19th EAS EMM reiterated the meeting’s vital role in fostering energy security, regional connectivity, and sustainable development. Ministers welcomed the adoption of APAEC 2026 - 2030, themed “Advancing Regional Cooperation to Ensure Energy Security and Accelerate Decarbonization towards a Just and Inclusive Energy Transition". Progress was noted in energy efficiency and conservation, biofuels and alternative use, and renewable energy development.

The 4th ASEAN - United States Energy Dialogue focused on key issues strengthening regional energy security and accelerating the energy transition, including APG, SMR, CCUS, clean coal, oil and gas, and LNG development. The United States reaffirmed its long-term commitment to helping ASEAN build a reliable, resilient, and sustainable energy system.

Strengthening connectivity and expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation

On the sidelines of the meetings, Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long held a series of bilateral and multilateral meetings with partner country delegations and international organizations:

(i) With Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce of Laos, Chanthaboun Soukaloun: Both sides discussed expanding bilateral power connectivity between Vietnam and Laos and promoting multilateral grid interconnection with other countries in the region, particularly enhancing cooperation in border energy projects. Vietnam reaffirmed its priority for energy cooperation with Laos and readiness to jointly identify technically and economically viable projects contributing to both countries’ sustainable energy transition.

(ii) With Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation of Malaysia, Akmal Nasir: Malaysia expressed interest in early implementation of Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore electricity interconnection. Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long welcomed Malaysia’s commitment and affirmed that Vietnam is developing a legal framework to facilitate project deployment.

(iii) With Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry of Singapore, Tan See Leng: The two leaders briefly exchanged views on cooperation for renewable energy exports from Vietnam to Singapore.

(iv) With Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy of Australia, Josh Wilson MP: Australia shared its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target of 62 - 70% emission reduction by 2035, focusing on the electricity, transport, and industrial sectors. Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long commended Australia’s ambitious goal and emphasized the need for a clear, transparent, and consistent roadmap, expressing appreciation for Australia’s continued ODA support for Vietnam’s electricity regulation sector.

(v) With James Andrade, Senior Representative of the US - ASEAN Business Council (US-ABC): Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long welcomed US-ABC’s cooperation with ASEAN and Vietnam, emphasizing the contribution of US enterprises to economic connectivity, innovation, green transition, and digital transformation. US companies also expressed their interest in supporting Vietnam’s safe and sustainable nuclear energy development and assisting in its long-term renewable energy transition goals.

(vi) With Deputy Assistant Secretary of State of the United States, Casey Mace: Both sides discussed cooperation opportunities in LNG, SMR, and other energy-related areas.

(vii) At the trilateral meeting with Laos and Cambodia, co-chaired by Cambodian Minister of Mines and Energy Keo Rottanak, Lao Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Chanthaboun Soukaloun, and Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hoang Long, the parties explored the prospect of a cross-border electricity interconnection among Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long acknowledged the proposal and agreed to continue discussions at the technical level.