Banner-Opening-Plenary

The Opening Plenary set the scene for Virtual ACEF 2020 through an opening video and introductory remarks from ADB and senior co-organizer representatives of the US Agency for International Development and the Korea Energy Agency, as well as funding partner representative from the United Kingdom Government. This was followed by keynote speeches from ADB President and the Executive Director of the International Energy Agency. The plenary was closed by a panel discussion with leading global energy experts and ADB Director General of Sustainable Development and Climate Change. Speakers and panelists had reviewed the latest global trends in emerging priority areas to support energy sector development in Asia and the Pacific in the current context of responding to and recovering from COVID-19

Session Moderator: David Elzinga, Senior Energy Specialist, ADB

Opening Video

Introductory Remarks

  • Bambang Susantono, Vice-President, Knowledge Management, Asian Development Bank
  • Craig Hart, Deputy Mission Director, US Agency for International Development (USAID)/Vietnam
  • Daegyun Oh, Executive Director, Climate Response. Korea Energy Agency (KEA)
  • H.E. Kara Owen, CVO, British High Commissioner to Singapore

Welcome Remarks:

Climate Finance and the Path to Recovery: Supporting Clean Energy in Asia and the Pacific amid the Challenges of COVID-19

  • President Masatsugu Asakawa, President, Asian Development Bank

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    President Asakawa introduced the theme of ACEF 2020 and highlighted the work of ADB’s response to COVID-19 and the role of energy in the context Strategy 2030 to support recovery in ADB’s developing member countries.

Keynote: Putting Clean Energy at the Heart of COVID-19 Recovery Plans

  • Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director, International Energy Agency (IEA)

    • Dr. Birol outlined the ever-growing role of Asia in global energy markets and how in response to Covid-19 the region can utilize investment in sustainable energy (including renewables, energy efficiency, and other low carbon options ) as a means of creating jobs, reducing local pollution and carbon emissions, while also increasing energy sector resilience.

Panel Discussion: Sustainable Energy for Economic Recovery

  • Global lockdowns due to Covid 19 have shown us what clean air looks like – can we use this crisis to mobilize support for climate change mitigation?
  • Increased resilience is needed in energy markets and energy delivery – how can we better prepare for the next crisis (market, weather, pandemic)?
  • How can the most vulnerable be best supported through energy related stimulus?
  • What do we need to do now to head in the right direction?

Panel Moderator: Yongping Zhai, Energy Sector Chief, ADB

  • Wasantha Perera, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Power & Energy, Sri Lanka
  • Upendra Tripathy, Director General, International Solar Alliance ·
  • Dave Turk, Acting Deputy Executive Director, IEA
  • Woochong Um, Director General, SDCC, Asian Development Bank