We, the Ministers of Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam met inManila, the Philippines on October 8, 2026, to hold the 4th Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Ministerial Meeting, with the Department of Energy of the Philippines and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan (METI) serving as Co-Chairs.
Strengthening energy security and resilience across AZEC region
We recognize that Asia remains highly exposed to potential disruptions in energy supply routes, including through the Strait of Hormuz and that any interruption to energy supplies in Asia could affect not only the region itself but also global supply chains.
Against this backdrop, we underline the importance of affordable access to energy, and reaffirm our commitment to well-functioning, stable, and transparent markets for energy, in accordance with the rules-based multilateral trading system. We also reaffirm the importance of secure and open sea lanes, freedom of navigation, and unimpeded lawful commerce, in accordance with international law including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), while respecting the rights and obligations of coastal and archipelagic countries.
We reaffirm our commitment to enhancing energy security and strengthening supply chain resilience in order to secure the stability of the region and contribute to global energy resilience. We will explore ways to support resilient energy supply systems that can withstand energy supply disruptions, including by enhancing oil stockpiling capacity on a voluntary and commercial basis consistent with the principle under the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Petroleum Security(APSA), where applicable, through coordination between producer and consumer countries. We will strengthen cooperation to ensure reliable, secure and affordable gas and Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) supply. In accordance with each country’s national circumstances, priorities, and energy policies, we will also diversify energy sources by utilizing home-grown energy such as solar, wind, hydro and geothermal power, as well as biofuels, energy storage, and nuclear energy for those countries that choose to use it for peaceful purposes. In addition, we will reinforce electrification, energy efficiency and conservation, and promote transition finance.
In this context, we welcome various initiatives by AZEC partner countries that contribute to building regional resilient energy and resources supply chains. This includes “Partnership On Wide Energy and Resources Resilience Asia(POWERR Asia)”, launched by Japan at the AZEC Plus online summit in April 2026.
Amid the current energy landscape, we recognize the importance of ensuring immediate energy security while maintaining affordable and reliable energy supplies, supporting economic growth and advancing our decarbonization objectives. We recognize that these objectives are interlinked, and that advancing the energy transition, including through the diversification of energy sources, technologies and supply chains, can strengthen long-term energy security resilience, affordability and sustainable economic growth.
We therefore reconfirm the value of the AZEC principles, which emphasize the importance of pursuing a “triple breakthrough” namely; addressing climate change, promoting inclusive economic growth and achieving energy security simultaneously and embrace the concept of “one goal, various pathways”, acknowledging that there are various and practical pathways to achieving carbon neutrality/net-zero emissions by or around mid-century, considering each country’s unique circumstances. We reaffirm our commitment to accelerate our efforts to carry out energy transitions and to ensure energy security along our respective domestic pathways and circumstances, and to enhance cooperations in AZEC. We also aim to contribute to the second Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement.
In light of these considerations, we welcome the following progress that has been made since the 3rd AZEC Ministerial Meeting and the 3rd AZEC Leaders Meeting, both held in October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur.
Enhancing oil stockpiling capacity
We welcome the progress made in advancing concrete initiatives to strengthen energy supply chain resilience. The most advanced efforts are support for the development of oil stockpiling systems in each country and regional joint stockpiling on voluntary basis and subject to national capacity, particularly through Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)’s regional oil stockpiling study. We also welcome AZEC Ministerial Work Programme for Strengthening Oil Stockpiling as attached to this joint statement.
We acknowledge the importance of APSA in guiding regional stockpiling initiative. We encourage AZEC partner countries to make progress on strengthening their energy supply systems by coordinating policy recommendations or conducting projects related to the Work Programme, taking into account different national circumstances.
Implementation of sectoral initiatives
We welcome active discussions in 2nd AZEC Leading Action Forum (AZEC LEAF) held in May 2026 as a part of our efforts to implement AZEC Sectoral Initiatives, where efforts, challenges, best practices and measures related to energy transitions were shared and exchanged, with a particular focus on energy security and three emitting sectors; power, transportation, and industry. We also note the AZEC Policy Insight Report 2026 produced by ERIA, which consolidates ERIA’s research outputs into policy recommendations to achieve regional energy security and resilience. We welcome “Energy Transition Review for Enhancing Cooperation; The Philippines’ Power Sector” produced by the International Energy Agency (IEA) that identifies challenges and opportunities facing the Philippine power sector. Developed in collaboration with the Philippines Department of Energy, the report provides practical policy pathways and collaboration options to strengthen energy security and help meet the Philippines energy transition goals.
Building on these insights, we acknowledge the key considerations and challenges identified in the following areas, and welcome the progress achieved in advancing efforts to address them.
Diversifying Energy Sources
We recognize the importance of pursuing diverse pathways toward decarbonization or net zero emissions while ensuring energy security, in accordance with national circumstances and policies.
We emphasize that, in many partner countries where energy demand is increasing, gas and LNG can serve as important energy sources in facilitating the energy transition while ensuring energy security. We recognize the role of gas and LNG in facilitating renewable energy integration and maintaining grid reliability.
In this context, we underscore the importance of diversifying supply and enhancing the reliability and resilience of gas value chains and ensuring that governments and international financial institutions maintain an open and predictable and predictable investment environment in line with national energy and economic circumstances. We also acknowledge the importance of open energy markets, and cooperation on energy security among countries in the Asia- Pacific region to ensure energy security.
Furthermore, we recognize the importance of joint efforts by countries and industry to reduce methane emission in upstream development through practical, cost-effective and economically viable measures including measurement, monitoring, reporting and verification (MMRV), methane detection and quantification technologies, capacity building, technology deployment and transfer.
We recognize the vital role of renewable energy in advancing the clean energy transition while enhancing energy security by reducing dependence on energy imports. The development of renewable energy systems, supported by battery energy storage systems (BESS), alongside smart grids, will be key to ensuring access to energy for all. The use of renewable energy is being encouraged to reduce reliance on electricity generated from fossil fuels. Innovative financing to make renewable energy, such as solar panels (PV) and BESS, affordable for households is also being promoted.
We encourage regional cooperation on the development and deployment of renewable energy technologies, as appropriate to national circumstances. We also recognize the importance of promoting investment in renewable energy projects and related supply chains, strengthening grid integration, and sharing knowledge and best practices on supportive policies and regulatory frameworks.
We recognize that the use of sustainable biofuels in the transport sector can play an important role, as part of a diverse range of decarbonization pathways, in meeting growing fuel demand while reducing dependence on fossil fuels. We also welcome the IEA’s analysis of demand and supply forecasts in the transport sector, regional prices, and policy implications for the development of sustainable biofuel supply chains across the ASEAN region. Furthermore, we welcome progress in efforts, including the sharing of technical knowledge, as countries advance initiatives toward the introduction of fuel regulations at a pace consistent with their respective national circumstances and capacities.
We note any potential development of nuclear power within AZEC countries will be undertaken in accordance with national circumstances, as part of a balanced energy mix that supports energy transition strategies and decarbonization goals.
They also need to be consistent with international safeguards obligations and commitments to nuclear non-proliferation. We recognise that, for some countries, nuclear energy may not be a desired option for their energy mix.
Energy Efficiency
We recognize that enhancing energy efficiency is a key means not only of reducing excessive dependence on fossil fuels but also of strengthening competitiveness. We welcome the progress of initiatives under AZEC Smart and Advanced Value-chain for Environment (SAVE), a public–private platform aimed at promoting investment in energy efficiency, guided by consensus and respecting national priorities, as well as other efforts such as the utilization of appliances that meet high energy performance standards and the electrification of transport and industry. We also welcome active engagement in such energy efficiency cooperation projects supported by Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and other financial institutions. We also recognize the growing importance of improving energy efficiency in data centers, given the rapid expansion of digital infrastructure and the resulting increase in energy demand. We encourage AZEC partner countries to promote energy efficient data center design, cooling systems, power management, and the adoption of high efficiency equipment and renewable energy, taking into account national circumstances. We further encourage cooperation on sharing best practices, technologies, standards, and capacity building to improve the energy performance of data centers while supporting the growth of digital economies.
ASEAN Power Grid
We will continue to explore cooperation to advance multilateral and multidirectional cross-border electricity trading within ASEAN and realize the ASEAN Power Grid (APG), including, where mutually agreed and feasible, the development of cross-border subsea cables and land-based transmission lines on mutually beneficial terms and in accordance with applicable national laws and regulations, national sovereignty, and security considerations. This will enhance regional energy security by catalyzing renewable energy deployment and reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels while accelerating decarbonization and economic growth for all countries involved. In this context, we welcome the Enhanced Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) endorsed at the 43rd ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting in October 2025 and in close coordination with ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) as APG Secretariat. We also welcome ERIA’s study “Layered Market Approach to ASEAN Power Grid Development”, which suggests a practical roadmap for achieving deeper regional power market integration and outlines a realistic pathway to enhance system flexibility, support the expansion of renewable energy, and progressively develop a more integrated and resilient regional power system.
We encourage AZEC cooperation to support practical ASEAN Power Grid projects as well as the implementation of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2026-2030, in complementarity with existing regional energy cooperation frameworks and priorities.
Transition Finance and Implementation of cross sectoral initiatives
We recognize that transition finance in Asia has steadily progressed from the stage of narrative building to that of actual project development and capital mobilization. As a concrete example, we welcome the “AZEC Inclusive Transition Finance Catalyst (AITF Catalyst)” in coordination with the initiatives of the Asia Transition Finance Study Group (ATF SG). We also acknowledge that, given recent geopolitical changes, financing places greater emphasis on the concepts of encompassing contributions to energy security. We welcome reporting from the IEA on investments in energy security and how to finance them and also welcome the updates on this topic. In addition, we welcome investment by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Export Finance Australia (EFA) and Southeast Asia Investment Financing Facility investment in funds supporting transition projects under the “Financing Asia’s Transition Partnership (FAST-P)” framework. We recognize that these initiatives will steadily advance the energy transition in Asia.
We welcome the AZEC International Conference to Develop Carbon Markets (AZEC-DCM), serving as a regional platform to deepen discussions aimed at accelerating decarbonization solutions, with a particular focus on enhancing the competitiveness of industries through visualization of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and promoting high-integrity carbon markets, including discussions on Article 6 implementation and carbon credit methodologies to support the development of high-integrity carbon markets in the region. We acknowledge that active and fruitful discussions took place at the AZEC-DCM meetings held in April, June, and July 2026, and note ERIA’s report on the outcomes of the AZEC-DCM, which provides policy insights and practical references to foster high- integrity carbon markets in the region. We recognize the role of cooperative approach under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, including the Joint Crediting Mechanism, in promoting low carbon technologies, emission reduction, and investment. We recognize efforts to develop and implement JCM projects in accordance with national circumstances and applicable Article 6 rules, while promoting high integrity carbon credits, robust MRV, transparent accounting, and avoiding double counting.
We emphasize the importance of advancing regional dialogues and cross-sectoral collaborations to realize AZEC solutions in line with national circumstances in each AZEC partner country through AZEC-DCM.
Research analysis of sectoral and cross sectoral activities
We welcome the ongoing expansion of research and analytical work conducted by ERIA, particularly its growing emphasis on regionally coordinated energy architecture and cross-sectoral resilience. This includes key regional initiatives such as APG, APSA, and the Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline (TAGP), as well as efforts to advance energy diversification through emerging technologies.
We reaffirm our expectation that ERIA will continue to act as an intellectual and analytical engine of the AZEC Sectoral Initiative, supporting AZEC partner countries through enhanced information sharing and forward-looking, policy-relevant research. We anticipate continued initiatives from ERIA to strengthen energy and climate resilience across the region, fostering collaboration that will ultimately contribute to a more secure and sustainable future.
Promoting tangible projects
We welcome the formation of new projects over the past years, bringing the total number of energy-related AZEC projects to approximately 600. These projects cover a wide range of sectors, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, hydrogen and ammonia, biofuels, CCS/CCUS, and others, and materialized through financial support from financial institutions such as JBIC, Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI), and JICA. We also welcome significant progress made by both public and private partners in some of the AZEC cooperation projects as a result of continued dialogue among participating countries. These dialogues have served as a platform to review progress, identify challenges, and advance discussions to address them.
Furthermore, we recognize ongoing efforts by each country toward energy transition, and reaffirm our commitment to continuing dialogue among participating countries.
Public-Private Cooperation
We welcome the activities carried out by the AZEC Advocacy Group, led by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, Japan Business Federation, and ERIA, including support to the AZEC Business Forum, which was held on collaboration with ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF), held in the sideline of the 4th AZEC Ministerial Meeting to serve as a significant platform for dialogue on key themes aligned with the major initiatives of AZEC.
Communication and Outreach
We highlight our collaborative work in communicating AZEC’s principles, initiatives under POWERR Asia and various actions to the public and stakeholders through discussions held at Asia Clean Energy Forum hosted by ADB in Manila in June 2026. We also highlight events featuring AZEC, including the Energy Asia Multiple Stakeholder Dialogue in Tokyo toward upcoming Energy Asia 2027, the AEBF in Manila, the Singapore International Energy Week, and Sustainable Energy Technology Asia to further encourage efforts both in governments and private sectors. We also welcome and further look forward to cooperation with related international institutions and organizations such as ACE, ASEAN Centre for Climate Change (ACCC), IEA, and ERIA.
Way forward
We express our sincere gratitude to the Philippines for serving as Co-host of the 4th AZEC Ministerial Meeting as well as to Singapore for Co-hosting the next AZEC Ministerial Meeting in Singapore, and also to all delegates from AZEC partner countries for their participation.
