Speech to ASEAN East Asia Summit Energy Ministers Meeting, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Good Morning.

I'm pleased to be here today on behalf of Australia's Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen.

I congratulate Malaysia as the successful ASEAN hosts in 2025 and extend my heartfelt appreciation for a very warm welcome to the beautiful city Kuala Lumpur. 

And thank you, Chair, for your efforts to bring us all together to agree a Joint Media Statement that reflects our shared priorities as Energy Ministers.

Australia is honoured and proud to be working with ASEAN to accelerate the energy transition across our region in a way that supports strong, sustainable and inclusive growth.

We applaud Malaysia’s themes of inclusivity and sustainability, which resonates strongly with Australia's own priorities.

We welcome the launch of the new ASEAN Power Grid Financing Initiative. Australia stands ready to support ASEAN efforts, and we will be joining the partnership ASEAN connectivity on energy to be convened under the APG Financing Initiative.

Friends, over the past three years Australia has embarked on an ambitious climate and energy agenda designed to benefit all Australians and to ensure that no one is left behind.

Last month, Prime Minister Albanese submitted Australia's 2035 nationally determined contribution to the UNFCCC with the target to reduce emissions by 62% to 70% on 2005 levels.

This target is ambitious and achievable, and it's underpinned by a comprehensive Net Zero Plan.

The global pathway to net zero needs to be carefully managed to ensure the stability of energy supplies so that countries can grow and prosper as they decarbonise.

To support this, Australia will continue to be a reliable energy partner and supplier.

But we have no doubt that the energy of the future is clean energy.

Australia is shifting our electricity system to firmed renewables and building new transmission infrastructure to support cheaper, more reliable energy and stable grids.

All our analysis shows that managing a timely, orderly transition to clean energy will result in more jobs and higher growth.

We're on track to reach 82% of renewable energy in our electricity grid by 2030. 

We're steadfast in our commitment to working with our partners in Southeast Asia on their energy transitions in order to deliver energy security, reliability, and prosperity.

For the $204 million Australian for ASEAN Futures Initiative, we're supporting ASEAN priorities for clean energy, connectivity, and resilience. This includes support for the ASEAN Power Grid to enable cross border power trading and to enhance regional energy security. 

A $200 million investment in Indonesia is supporting 2030 infrastructure over the next five years, and a $105 million investment in Vietnam will increase the uptake of clean energy.

Australia is also supporting the development and diversification of clean energy supply chains in the Indo Pacific, through our $50 million commitment to the Quad Clean Energy Supply Chain Diversification program. Under the first round of that program, 12 projects valued at $24 million will receive funding for research and development and feasibility studies targeting solar PV, hydrogen electrolyzer and battery supply chains in the Indo-Pacific.

Ministers and colleagues, while our paths towards decarbonisation and the pace of travel on that journey are varied, we have a shared goal to reach Net Zero. 

Cooperation is the key to achieving that goal and Australia will stand with the region every step of the way. 

We do recognize that progress to achieve our shared and vital climate and energy goals is held back by regional and global conflicts, like Russia's illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine and the worsening situation in Myanmar. 

We wholeheartedly welcome the agreement reached over the last week that has seen the release of Israel’s hostages and hope for civilians in Gaza who have suffered so terribly. It’s a critical step on the long road towards a sustained peace between Israel and Palestine. 

In relation to Myanmar, we reiterate our calls for cessation of violence, release of all those unjustly detained, and safe and unimpeded access to humanitarian assistance. We also call on the Myanmar regime to engage in genuinely inclusive political dialogue and note that upholding elections without first securing these essential steps does risk greater instability.

Colleagues and chair, thank you.