The Department of Energy (DOE) hosted the first Government-Private Forum on Cleaner Energy Future Initiative for Asean (CEFIA) on Wednesday, November 27.
“Today’s event is significant for us in the Asean as it has brought governments and the private sector together in one setting, providing a venue for multi-sectoral discussions on investment opportunities, industry innovations, and energy project financing. Governments cannot stand alone in sustaining a fully vibrant energy sector that is able to actively contribute to a country’s robust economic growth. Bilateral and multilateral dialogues are needed,” DOE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi was quoted as saying in a Manila Times report.
Cusi highlighted the measures implemented by the national government to build a sustainable energy future, as well as the country’s efforts in support of the implementation of the Asean Plan of Action on Energy Cooperation.
In partnership with Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc., the forum sought to engage closer collaboration between the public and private sectors to push forth the development and utilization of cleaner energy and low carbon technologies within the region.
According to the report, a total of 200 delegates from the Asean+3 member countries, national government agencies, local government units, private industry stakeholders, financial institutions, and the academe participated in the forum.
Additionally, a bilateral meeting between the Energy Secretary and METI’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister Shuji Miyamoto took place at the sidelines of the event. Discussions revolved around recent energy sector developments in both countries as well as ways to help move private sector initiatives forward.
