Lin Bo-yu

As South Korea heads to the polls on June 3 for its presidential election, the two leading candidates’ positions on energy have drawn attention.

French President Emmanuel Macron recently concluded a multi-country visit to Asia, where energy cooperation—particularly in low-carbon technologies like nuclear—was high on the agenda in meetings with leaders of Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore.

Sarawak, a state in Malaysia, has unveiled the country's first sustainability plan. The framework outlines three core goals, ten strategic thrusts, and 111 action plans, forming the foundation for the state’s transition to net zero.

Vietnam’s financial industry is gaining momentum in promoting sustainable development. According to the State Bank of Vietnam, a record 33 financial institutions released sustainability reports in 2024—the highest number to date.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are widely seen as low-carbon transportation, yet their battery supply chain remains heavily reliant on fossil fuel. This is especially true in Indonesia, the world’s top nickel producer.

The standout development in the energy sector at this year’s ASEAN Summit is the progress on multinational power grid collaboration. Representatives have committed to a feasibility study aimed at transporting renewables via subsea cables.

After U.S. President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on select imports this April, ASEAN countries swiftly launched negotiations in a bid to cushion the blow.

The ASEAN Leaders’ Summit kicked off on May 26, with discussions centered on U.S. tariffs, ASEAN expansion. Host country Malaysia is looking to position the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) as one of the summit’s signature achievements.