Background

The US government is supporting its partners in Southeast Asia to enable and attract the infrastructure investments needed to meet their ambitious net-zero goals through a variety of mechanisms and programs. These include USAID’s Corporate Clean Energy Alliance (CCEA), US Department of State’s Clean Energy Demand Initiative (CEDI), and USAID’s Southeast Asia’s Smart Power Program (SPP). The USG’s partnerships support solutions that expand access to renewable energy, improve energy efficiency, and demonstrate and deploy transformation enabling technologies. Together, they aim to identify, inform, and implement clean energy solutions.

Furthermore, USAID is committed to supporting Southeast Asia’s just and inclusive clean energy transition. USAID programs such as Enhancing Equality in Energy for Southeast Asia (E4SEA), and the Mekong Sustainable Manufacturing Alliance (MSMA), promote gender equality in the clean energy workforce, and work closely with public and private sector project partners.

This Deep Dive Workshop will be divided into two 90-minute sections: The first will concentrate on US government/private sector partnerships and the collective effort to combat climate change through clean energy finance/development initiatives. The second 90-minutes will build on this discussion, focusing on the importance of promoting gender inclusiveness in the clean energy workforce, and the private-sector adoption of ESG standards during Southeast Asia’s clean energy transition.

Objectives

This Deep Dive Workshop will highlight USG initiatives that help private sector champions meet shared climate and clean energy targets in Southeast Asia. The discussion will highlight policy recommendations, investment tools, financing mechanisms, and support programs the private sector and USG can offer to governments, developers and civil society to support clean energy and climate change initiatives in Southeast Asia. The session will also showcase how business leaders are strengthening ESG standards.

AGENDA

8:30 - 9:00 a.m.

Preparation - Moderator and speakers

Moderator - Madura Watanagase, USAID’s Southeast Asia Smart Power Program

9:00 - 9:10 a.m.

Welcome Remarks

Anthony Watanabe, Chief Sustainability Office, Indorama Ventures

9:10 - 9:25 a.m.

USG Private Sector Engagement Overview

Scott C. Bartos, USAID/RDMA

Katy Clarke US Department of State’s Clean Energy Demand Initiative (CEDI)

9:25 - 9:35 a.m.

USG Private Sector Partnership Highlights

Lyrna Hewitt, Vice President for Business Development, Aboitiz, USTDA Partner, Aboitiz

9:35 - 9:45 a.m.

NREL RE Data Explorer / Private Sector

Derina Man, (NREL)

9:45 - 9:55 a.m.

CEIA / Private Sector

9:55 - 10:05 a.m.

SPP / Private Sector

10:05 - 10:30 a.m.

Q&A

Moderator - Madura Watanagase, USAID's Southeast Asia Smart Power Program

10:30 - 11:00 a.m.

Break

11:00 - 11:10 a.m.

Private Sector Role in Developing Inclusive Energy Sector Workforce of the Future

Ms. Agnes De Jesus, Chief Sustainability Officer, First Philippines Holdings Corporation/First Gen

  • What is the private sector doing?
  • What did they learn and how are they preparing the workforce of the future?
  • What are the main gender-inclusive workforce development issues for the transitioning energy sector involving clean energy solutions?

11:10 - 11:20 a.m.

Scene Setter

Moderator - Vinod Shrivastava, Enhancing Equality in Energy for Southeast Asia

11:20 - 11:30 a.m.

Role of the Academic Sector and STEM Education in Inclusive Energy Sector Transition

Dr. Maria Teresa Fajardo, Director, Extension & Community Relations Division, USTP University of Southern Philippines

  • Role of universities in creating a pipeline of qualified women and persons of all gender to enter and prosper in the transitioning energy sector
  • Role of stronger partnerships between educational institutions and energy enterprises
  • Value added from mobilizing alumni associations to advance the agenda and create opportunities

11:30 - 11:40 a.m.

Inclusive Transition in Corporate Governance

Dr. Maria Teresa Fajardo, Director, Extension & Community Relations Division, USTP University of Southern Philippines

  • Challenges posed by energy sector transition through clean energy solutions
  • New opportunities available for gender-responsive approach to sector governance
  • Need for both public sector policy and regulatory reform and corporate sector governance and strategy reform to create greater opportunities for women at all levels in the energy sector

11:40 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

To be confirmed

12:00 - 12:25 p.m.

Q&A

Moderator - Vinod Shrivastava, Enhancing Equality in Energy for Southeast Asia

12:25 - 12:30 p.m.

Closing Remarks

Moderator - Vinod Shrivastava, Enhancing Equality in Energy for Southeast Asia

SPEAKERS

Scott Bartos

Scott Bartos

Regional Energy Advisor, U.S. Agency For International Development (USAID)

Madura Watanagase

Madura Watanagase

Manager, Competitive Procurement, USAID SPP

Anthony M Watanabe

Anthony M Watanabe

Chief Sustainability Officer, Indorama Ventures Limited

Derina Man

Derina Man

Project Lead, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)

Vinod Shrivastava

Vinod Shrivastava

Founder and Managing Director, CORE International, Inc.

Dynah Basuil

Dynah Basuil

Professor and Executive Director,
Asian Institute of Management Ramon V. Del Rosario Sr. Center for Corporate Responsibility

Agnes de Jesus

Agnes de Jesus

Chief Sustainability Officer, First Philippine Holdings Corporation

Maria Fajardo

Maria Fajardo

Director, Extension & Community Relations Division & GAD Focal Person, University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines