News

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong made his first official visit to the Philippines on June 4, meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The two leaders pledged to advance the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) and promote sustainable economic development.

The Thai government plans to roll out a new bill to promote the adoption of rooftop solar systems among households. By simplifying procedures and reducing costs, the bill aims to increase public willingness to install rooftop solar.

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.

Indonesia’s current biofuel strategy relies heavily on expanding oil palm plantations to meet its B40 and upcoming B50 biodiesel mandates, which could cause up to $4.72 billion in environmental and social damage.

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.

Multilateral climate diplomacy looks increasingly defunct. Instead, geopolitics, trade and the power of the state matter more than ever.

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.