Opening Plenary Session
Power Trade Empowering the Region's Clean Energy Future – Improving Supply, Access, and Innovation
Tuesday, 3 June 2025
9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (GMT +8)
The Asia and Pacific region is witnessing a significant shift towards clean energy, driven by technological advancements, policy support, and growing awareness of the need for sustainable energy solutions. Regional power trade offers a unique opportunity to optimize resource utilization, reduce costs, and create a more resilient energy system. Initiatives such as the Power Grid Connector of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations exemplify efforts to promote regional cooperation in the energy sector.
Regional power trade can play a pivotal role in addressing the energy challenges faced by countries in the region. By integrating power markets and facilitating cross-border electricity trade, countries can leverage their diverse energy resources, balance supply and demand, and enhance energy security. This multiple countries' collaborative approach not only benefits individual countries but also strengthens the region.
In this plenary, high-level speakers will set the stage by highlighting the critical importance of regional power trade in empowering the Asia and Pacific region's clean energy future. They will discuss the current energy landscape, emphasizing the need for integrated systems planning, regional infrastructure development, and innovative solutions to improve energy supply, access, and security. The speakers will also address the challenges and opportunities in fostering regional cooperation, private sector engagement and public-private partnerships, showcasing successful case studies and best practices. Their insights will provide a comprehensive overview of the strategic direction needed to drive the clean energy transition and promote sustainable development in the region.
AGENDA
9:00 - 9:10 a.m.
Video: Scene Setter
9:10 - 9:30 a.m.
Welcome Remarks
Fatima Yasmin, Vice President (Sectors and Themes), Asian Development Bank (ADB)
9:30 - 9:40 a.m.
Introductory Remarks
Boonam Shin, Executive Director, Korea Energy Agency
9:40 - 9:50 a.m.
Video: ACEF Through the Years
9:50 - 10:30 a.m.
Keynote Messages
Strengthening Regional Cooperation to Advance Energy Connectivity
Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General, United Nations and Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)
Transitioning Energy Sector: Story of a Developing Country
K.T.M. Udayanga Hemapala, Secretary, Ministry of Power and Energy, Sri Lanka
A Regional Approach in Promoting Energy Security and Tackling the Challenges of the Energy Transition
Rowena Cristina L. Guevara, Undersecretary, Department of Energy, Philippines
10:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Break
11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Panel Discussion: Power Trade: Pioneering a Sustainable Energy Future
The discussion will explore how regional power trade can enhance clean energy supply, improve access to energy in underserved areas, and drive innovation. It will highlight the importance of cross-border collaborations and policy frameworks in integrating renewable energy sources into the regional power grid.
Scene Setter: Hideaki Iwasaki, Director General, Sectors Department 1, Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Moderator: Priyantha Wijayatunga, Senior Director, Energy Sector Office, Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Panel Members:
Hongpeng Liu, Director, Energy Division, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
Shinichi Kihara, Director General, International Policy on Carbon Neutrality, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan
Jungkwan Kim, President, Doosan Enerbility Company Limited
Sue-Ern Tan, Head, International Energy Agency Regional Cooperation Center, Singapore
12:15 - 12:30 p.m.
Q&A
SPEAKERS
Fatima Yasmin
Vice-President, Sectors and Themes, Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Boonam Shin
Executive Director, Korea Energy Agency
Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana
Under-Secretary-General, United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
Rowena Cristina Guevara
Undersecretary, Department of Energy, Philippines
Hideaki Iwasaki
Director General, Sectors Department 1 (Energy and Transport Sectors), Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Priyantha Wijayatunga
Senior Director, Energy, Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Hongpeng Liu
Director, Energy Division, UNESCAP
Udayanga Hemapala
Secretary, Ministry of Power and Energy, Sri Lanka
Shinichi Kihara
Director General for International Policy on Carbon Neutrality, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan
Sue-Ern Tan
Head of the IEA Regional Cooperation Centre, International Energy Agency
Jung Kwan Kim
President & Chief Marketing Officer, Doosan Enerbility Co, Ltd