Hanoi, 25–26 February 2025: ERIA President Tetsuya Watanabe participated in the 2025 ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi, hosted by the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam. The forum convened global leaders, including the Prime Ministers of Viet Nam, Malaysia, and New Zealand, as well as the President of Timor-Leste. Ministers and experts from various sectors also joined discussions on fostering a more inclusive and resilient ASEAN.

President Watanabe spoke at two key sessions: Plenary Session 1 – Megatrends: Envisioning ASEAN and the World in 2035 and the Tech Lunch session titled A Future-Ready ASEAN: Harnessing the Power of Emerging Technologies.

During Plenary Session 1, he highlighted ASEAN’s rapid economic growth and rising energy demand, stressing the need to balance economic expansion with energy security and emissions reduction. He noted that the evolving energy landscape presents both challenges and opportunities, requiring a strategic approach to decarbonisation that considers economic trends, industrial shifts, and technological advancements.

At the Tech Lunch – attended by Viet Nam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers from ASEAN countries, and executives from leading technology firms – President Watanabe emphasised the critical role of innovative solutions such as Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS), co-firing technologies, hydrogen, and energy efficiency tools. He underscored that scaling these technologies and strengthening public–private partnerships are essential for a successful energy transition.

‘Deploying these technologies at scale and ensuring their financial viability requires a coordinated approach. Public–private partnerships (PPPs) play a key role in mobilising capital, reducing risks, and accelerating clean energy deployment,’ President Watanabe stated.

In his closing remarks, he reaffirmed the importance of collaboration, innovation, and strategic investment, stating:

‘By working together, we can turn ASEAN’s energy transition into a global success story.’

His insights reinforced the need for co-operation and technological advancements in shaping a sustainable and resilient future for ASEAN.