ASEAN Energy Ministers gather in Cambodia for talks on energy cooperation

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- The 30th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting was held here on Wednesday, aiming at discussing and seeking further cooperation in energy sector.

The meeting was under the theme "ASEAN Green Connectivity."

Speaking at the opening of the meeting, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen highlighted the significance of the theme "ASEAN Green Connectivity," which focuses primarily on the energy production and consumption that minimizes impacts on surrounding atmosphere.

"The meeting will further enhance solidarity and commitment among ASEAN member states to work together to achieve the region's joint goal," he said. "It is also contributing to expedite the full integration of ASEAN in 2015."

He said that energy security is still one of major challenges for the bloc, urging the ASEAN Energy Ministers to focus on developing renewable energy such as hydropower, wind power, solar energy, biomass energy and biogas energy as well as biodiesel energy in order to build a green energy region for ASEAN.

"Civilian nuclear energy is also an important source of energy, but such energy needs broad promotion about evolution, technology, advantages, and risks to prevent possible dangers that cause by disasters," he said.

The premier added that coal is also playing important role in supplying energy need at the present and in the future, but this energy also needs high technology to minimize environment impacts.

In his welcoming speech, Suy Sem, Cambodian Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy, said that in addition to the 30th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting, there will be the ASEAN Ministers on Energy meeting with International Energy Agency, the 9th Meeting of Energy Ministers of the ASEAN Plus Three countries (ASEAN, China, Japan and South Korea), the 6th East Asian Summit Energy Ministers Meeting, and the ASEAN Energy Business Forum.

He said the two-day meetings would help expedite the implementation of the ASEAN Plan of Actions for Energy Cooperation (2010-2015) including ASEAN Power Grid, Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline, Coal and Clean Coal Technology, Energy Efficiency and Conservation, Renewable Energy, Regional Energy Policy and Planning, and Civilian Nuclear Energy.

Founded in 1967, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN) groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.