Part II

Read an excerpt from a keynote speech and answer the questions.

(Source: http://inter.oop.cmu.ac.th/ASEAN/asean2015template/asean2015/keynotespeech_drsurin (may2011).html retrieved 15/3/2014)

Keynote Speech by H.E. Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General of ASEAN, at the 2011 Asia Public Policy Forum on Energy, Innovation and Sustainable Development

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Way Forward

Based on the ongoing initiatives of the relevant sectors in ASEAN, we can work together on the energy policy and activities that ensure the balanced attainment of priority policy objectives in the region.

Some ideas can be considered, like the Carbon Culture (i.e. to create genuine energy savings in public sectors through behaviour change of building and equipment users for public purposes), 15:15 Programme (i.e. to achieve 15% renewable energy in the total energy mix by 2015), public awareness on the Energy Certificate, the Energy Efficiency (EE) Benchmark in the industry, transport sector and/or environment-friendly labels for household appliances, etc.

Proposals for more ideas and initiatives are welcomed so that ASEAN can work with our interested partners to create best-practice examples of behaviour change and carbon reduction. Through this process, we will have developed an “evidence base” on what works and what does not, how much control and influence it has over the energy demand and a sense of scalability of the solution to address these multitude of issues.

Within the energy sector, ASEAN is interested to cooperate with partners and organisations on renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean coal technology and nuclear energy for power generation.
For renewable energy, ASEAN is looking at cooperation to promote enabling mechanisms or policy instruments to accelerate R&D and demonstration of RE.  Facilitation of intra-ASEAN trade for RE and turning ASEAN into the hub for RE; promoting the development and synergy of R&D Centres; and promoting RE for CDM in the light of climate change and mitigation are other areas that we wish to explore with our partners.

As for coal and clean coal technology, ASEAN is keen in collaboration to build a positive image to clean coal technology as well as the development of ASEAN Coal Price Index; setting-up of coal laboratory and standards; promoting intra-ASEAN coal trade by facilitating bilateral and multilateral long-term coal supply agreements; and formulating an MOU similar to ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA) to enhance regional security of coal supply.

On energy and conservation, ASEAN continues to promote the ASEAN Energy Awards on EE&C; promotion of high-performance energy efficiency technologies and practices; and development of EE&C tools, such as, database, technical directory, handbook, benchmarks, and guidelines.

As for civilian nuclear energy cooperation, we are looking at creation of public awareness and public education on nuclear power plants and to build a positive image of nuclear use in a comprehensive and concrete manner as well as encourage the information sharing in civilian nuclear energy among ASEAN Members in a systematic way.

On sustaining a clean and green environment, ASEAN is ready to work towards achieving sustainable development by protecting the natural resource base for economic and social development, such as on sustainable management and conservation of soil, water, mineral, energy as well as biodiversity, under our ASEAN Socio Cultural Community Blueprint (2009-2015), and the Multi-Sectoral Framework on Climate Change: Agriculture and Forestry towards Food Security.

Technical cooperation and partnership in support of the existing ASEAN plans/initiatives as regional development platform could complement the current ASEAN efforts, enhance public awareness and ensure synergies and complementarities of initiatives.

Click Answer Key