The benefits of regional power trade and market integration—such as enhanced energy security, optimized resource use, and reduced costs—have been demonstrated in regions outside the Asia-Pacific. As the Asia-Pacific region seeks to achieve similar outcomes, there is much to be learned from the experiences of other countries in addressing similar challenges and applying innovative solutions. These include regional cooperation frameworks, emerging technologies, and financing mechanisms that may be adapted to the region's unique context.

One particularly promising innovation is the development of subsea power cables, which can significantly reduce energy losses in long-distance transmission and enhance grid connectivity across borders. The transformation of telegraph cables into modern high-voltage direct current (HVDC) interconnectors has sparked considerable interest within the energy sector in the region.

This back-to-back and associated sessions will delve into the landscape of cross-border energy trade in the region—with a special focus on the challenges and solutions in subsea cable development.