Background
The effects of the COVID-19 crisis on the energy sector are substantial and diverse: a decline in energy demand, shifts in energy use, and the risk of energy poverty as a result of reduced income. Without adequate policy responses, the crisis is bound to lead to more energy insecurity for vulnerable households and businesses. However, recovery strategies must not reverse past gains made in protecting a country’s natural environment and inadvertently end up supporting a growth in fossil fuel or carbon-intensive investments leading away from the Paris Agreement’s target trajectory. Conversely, there is a critical window of opportunity to reset how we orient our economy and build back better.
Given the tremendous need for investments to develop the necessary energy infrastructure, provide reliable and affordable energy access for all, and meet nationally determined contribution levels (NDCs), no single country or stakeholder is able to operate independently. Collaboration with partnered organizations is critical to ensuring the sustainable transformation of the energy sector to meet the needs of Southeast Asia. This Spotlight Session will discuss ongoing efforts to support these needs, including the goals, objectives, priorities, upcoming investments, and how governments and the private sector can access these resources to accelerate sustainable, inclusive growth through energy transformation.
The United States, Australia, Japan and international organizations such as The Rockefeller Foundation are all committed to advancing decarbonization, increasing energy access, affordability, efficiency and security. Through partnerships such as the Japan-U.S. Mekong Power Partnership (JUMPP), Australia’s Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I) in Southeast Asia, the Mekong-Australia Partnership, the Trilateral Infrastructure Partnership (TIP), and MOUs to support distributed renewable energy resources, among others, these collaborating parties are leveraging their combined technical assistance, financing, and knowledge-sharing to meet the region’s energy needs.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, partnerships such as these are critical to ensure that reliable energy access is secured for and that the most vulnerable populations continue to have energy access, infrastructure stimulus, and recovery efforts to move forward. By sharing information and resources, partners can more precisely identify appropriate areas for engagement that are in line with regional countries’ priorities and expand the areas where they operate.
Objectives
- Identify regional partnerships that are active in Southeast Asia and how countries and the private sector may be able to tap into the tools, technical assistance, and financial resources that they provide to advance their energy priorities.
- Inform ADB and member governments of the priorities of these partnerships and explore areas for collaborations or expansion that will result in increased results.
- Identify areas/projects where the resources of these partnerships may be directed to support clean energy and infrastructure development.
Agenda
| Time (Manila) | Activities |
|---|---|
| 10:30-10:40 a.m. |
USAID Welcome Remarks Steve Olive, Mission Director, USAID/RDMA |
| 10:40-11:05 a.m. |
Opening Remarks Co-organizers will highlight the role they can play to support stakeholders and beneficiaries of energy sector development.
|
| 11:05-11:35 a.m. |
Regional Partnerships to Advance Energy Priorities Panel Discussion Moderated by Mark Dunn, Chief of Party, Southeast Asia EDGE Hub |
| 11:35 -11:50 a.m. | Questions and Answers |
| 11:50 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Wrap up |
About Organizers
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the lead U.S. Government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential. USAID’s work safeguards this mission and puts countries on a path to pursue clean energy growth and resilient, low-carbon development. Countries around the world are feeling the effects of climate change, from more intense heat waves, droughts, floods and storms to slower-moving changes like ocean acidification. USAID is sharing world-class knowledge, data and tools to ensure countries can predict, prepare for and adapt to change. USAID also helps countries lay the foundations for sustainable growth powered by clean energy and healthy landscapes.
The U.S. international Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is America’s development bank. DFC partners with the private sector to finance solutions to the most critical challenges facing the developing world today. DFC invests across sectors including energy, healthcare, critical infrastructure, and technology. DFC also provides financing for small businesses and women entrepreneurs in order to create jobs in emerging markets. DFC investments adhere to high standards and respect the environment, human rights, and worker rights.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is a governmental agency that coordinates Official Development Assistance for the government of Japan. It is chartered with assisting economic and social growth in developing countries, and the promotion of international cooperation. In Southeast Asia, it is supporting the socioeconomic development, recovery or economic stability of developing regions. JICA is supporting detailed technical analysis and development of grid codes and other regulations throughout Southeast Asia (and in particular in the Lower Mekong) to improve planning, operations and investment in transmission infrastructure to facilitate increased bilateral trade.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) works to make Australia stronger, safer and more prosperous, to provide timely and responsive consular and passport services, and to ensure a secure Australian Government presence overseas. It also works with other government agencies to ensure Australia's pursuit of its global, regional and bilateral interests is coordinated effectively. DFAT is partnering with the private sector through a range of initiatives to harness private investment for development outcomes, including by mobilizing investment in lower emission and climate-resilient technologies such as renewable energy, improved agricultural techniques and sustainable transport for the Indo-Pacific.
The Rockefeller Foundation advances new frontiers of science, data, and innovation to solve global challenges related to health, food, power, and economic mobility. As a science-driven philanthropy focused on building collaborative relationships with partners and grantees, The Rockefeller Foundation seeks to inspire and foster large-scale human impact that promotes the well-being of humanity throughout the world by identifying and accelerating breakthrough solutions, ideas, and conversations.
Export Finance Australia (EFA) is the Australian Government’s export credit and overseas infrastructure financing agency. EFA facilitates and encourages Australian export trade, Australian overseas investment and supports infrastructure development in the Pacific and broader Indo-Pacific region through the provision of commercial financing.
Asia Enhancing Development and Growth through Energy (Asia EDGE) is a U.S. Government-wide initiative to grow sustainable and secure energy markets throughout the Indo-Pacific region by helping governments expand energy access, promote energy diversification and trade, and strengthen energy security. USAID’s Regional Development Mission for Asia (RDMA) manages the USAID Southeast Asia EDGE Hub (the Hub) to coordinate and enhance the effectiveness of USAID’s energy programs across Southeast Asia. The Hub provides three kinds of support to ensure that USAID’s bilateral energy programs align with the objectives of the Asia EDGE initiative, including technical support, communications support, and monitoring, evaluation, and learning Support.
Point of Contact
Mark Dunn, Southeast Asia EDGE Hub (Tetra Tech)
Email: [email protected]