ASEAN must strengthen energy security, accelerate regional electricity connectivity and mobilise investment in energy infrastructure to meet rising demand and improve resilience, Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn said.
Speaking at the Singapore International Energy Week Summit on Tuesday, Kao said the three priorities were closely linked and essential to turning regional energy cooperation commitments into practical outcomes.
“The priority now is to turn this commitment into practical results,” he said.
Kao said ASEAN needed to improve preparedness for energy supply disruptions, diversify supply sources and enhance energy efficiency amid uncertainty in global energy markets. Regional cooperation would also be important in sharing information, conducting joint emergency exercises and coordinating responses to potential disruptions.
On electricity connectivity, he said the ASEAN Power Grid could allow member states to share resources, transfer electricity to areas with greater demand and support one another during supply shortages.
The Laos-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project had demonstrated that multilateral electricity trade was viable, providing a foundation for broader regional cooperation, he said.
However, expanding cross-border electricity links would require coordinated planning, transparent trading rules and reliable infrastructure, including arrangements to maintain and repair submarine power cables.
Kao also called for governments, private investors and multilateral financial institutions to work together to finance energy infrastructure and turn regional plans into viable projects.
“I would encourage financial institutions to engage early and remain involved throughout the coordination effort.
“Different projects and stages of development require different forms of financing, grants and support for project operations,” he said.
He added that clear rules for cross-border electricity trade and fair risk-sharing arrangements were necessary to encourage investment.
“Our cooperation will succeed when projects are completed and deliver tangible benefits across the region,” Kao said.
He said Singapore’s ASEAN chairmanship in 2027 would provide an opportunity to advance regional energy commitments and strengthen implementation.
Source: Business Today
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<p>Time: November 2025<br /> By: WTO and International Trade Group, Legal Department – VCCI</p>
