Forging an ASEAN Green Future: Energy Transition Meeting Positions Malaysia as Regional Hub for Clean Energy Collaboration and Digital Innovation

KUALA LUMPUR, 26 May 2025 – Malaysia took a centre stage in strengthening its role as a regional convenor and enabler of clean energy transformation through the successful organisation of the Energy Transition Meeting (ETM) in ASEAN, jointly orchestrated by the Malaysia Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (MYCentre4IR) hosted by MyDIGITAL Corporation and the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Carrying the theme “Fostering Regional Cooperation,” the meeting served as a strategic platform on the sideline of the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, aimed at advancing multilateral cooperation on clean energy future, clean energy financing, policy harmonisation, industrial decarbonisation, and regional infrastructure integration.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), YAB Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof, in his Opening Plenary, reaffirmed Malaysia’s national commitment to energy transition and its role in advancing collective regional action through ASEAN.  According to the Deputy Prime Minister, “As Chair of ASEAN in 2025, Malaysia is deeply committed to promoting dialogue, building consensus, and advancing regional frameworks that will power a cleaner, more secure, and more inclusive energy future. With the energy sector undergoing significant transformation globally, regionally, and within our national borders, it is imperative that we collectively ensure this transition is both fair and equitable, serving the needs of our population, enhancing resilience, and fostering sustainable growth.”

Mr. Roberto Bocca, Head of the Centre for Energy and Materials at the World Economic Forum, shared a global perspective, highlighting Southeast Asia’s strategic role in shaping the international energy transition landscape. He commended Malaysia’s efforts in aligning national ambitions with regional and global climate goals, particularly through the partnership between World Economic Forum’s Center for Energy and Materials and MYCentre4IR, where global initiatives are localised to address ASEAN’s unique needs, while regional best practices are scaled to other parts of the world. “The energy transition is no longer a distant aspiration, it is a defining imperative shaping our economy, societies, and industries. Achieving a sustainable, secure, and just transition demands stronger public-private collaboration, regional cooperation, and cross-sector engagement. As leaders convene at the Energy Transition Meeting in ASEAN, we have a unique opportunity to share insights and advance collaborative action toward a resilient, inclusive future.” said Bocca.

MYCentre4IR acts as a neutral multistakeholder platform that bridges policy, innovation, and investment across national and regional priorities in translating this strategic ambition into implementable action.  Mr. Adrian Marcellus, Head of MYCentre4IR and Chief Executive Officer of MyDIGITAL Corporation said, “Our role is to accelerate our national policies ambition. Through MYCentre4IR, we are driving forward conversations in clean energy, industrial symbiosis through digital transformation and fostering partnerships that extend beyond borders.”

ETM featured nine curated thematic sessions with contributions from public and private sector leaders. Topics covered included: (1) decarbonisation strategies for ASEAN industrial clusters; (2) scaling up ASEAN Power Grid infrastructure; (3) financing mechanisms for the coal-to-clean transition; (4) advancing clean fuels and hydrogen ecosystems; (5) nuclear readiness in the region; and (6) harnessing AI and data governance for energy innovation. The event also hosted the (7) Just Energy Transition CEO Roundtable for regional Energy Champions and (8) bilateral meetings.

Malaysia’s Minister of Digital YB Gobind Singh Deo also hosted AI and technology stakeholders in driving conversations on convergence of Clean Energy in preparation for Powering the Intelligence Age.

The Energy Transition Meeting welcomed over 130 delegates from over 20 countries delegates from leading local, regional and global players such as PETRONAS, UNESCAP, ASEAN Center of Energy (ACE), Asian Development Bank, Bank Negara Malaysia, Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), Khazanah, Singapore LNG Corporation, British Petroleum, Mitsui O.S.K Lines, Akselos SA, GEIDCO, Alphabet, Al Rushaid Petroleum Investment Co, Bangchak Corporation, Siam Cement Group and multiple innovation ecosystem players. Discussions also explored how ASEAN member states can jointly formulate an ASEAN Clean Economy Agreement, with potential implications for regional standards on carbon accounting, technology deployment, and sustainability financing.

The Energy Transition Meeting aligns directly with Malaysia’s broader national policy architecture, including the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), Hydrogen Economy & Technology Roadmap (HETR), New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP2030), Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint (MDEB), National 4IR Policy, Industry4WRD, and the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS). Through these frameworks, Malaysia aims to build a resilient energy ecosystem that is digitally enabled, ESG-compliant, and regionally integrated. The discussions at ETM also complement strategic ASEAN platforms such as the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC), ASEAN Power Grid, Energy Efficiency and Conservation (through Transitioning Industrial Clusters), Renewable Energy, Regional Energy Policy & Planning, Civilian Nuclear Energy and the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) model.

The Energy Transition Meeting represents a pivotal moment for Malaysia and ASEAN in advancing a collective agenda for an inclusive, future-ready energy transition. The co-hosting of the event by MYCentre4IR and WEF underscores the government’s commitment to cross-sectoral collaboration, public-private coordination, and Malaysia’s leadership in shaping a green, digital, and interconnected regional economy.