ASEAN-India high-level conference on renewable energy commences

The ASEAN-India high-level conference on renewable energy, being organized by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and the Ministry of External Affairs from February 7 to 8 commenced on Monday virtually.

The high-level conference, over a period of two days, will focus on the theme: "Experience and Innovations for Integrated Renewables Market".

Secretary, MNRE, welcomed the high-level dignitaries from ASEAN member countries to the inaugural Ministerial session and set the context for the conference.

Tun Lean, Secretary of State, Ministry of Mines and Energy of Cambodia, the current chair of ASEAN and Bhagwanth Khuba, Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy and Fertilisers, Government of India delivered special addresses in which they talked about renewable energy plans and achievements of ASEAN and India and stressed on the need for carrying forward India-ASEAN cooperation in the field of renewable energy to facilitate energy transitions to fight climate change.

The dignitaries talked about the renewable energy ambitions, progress made and priority areas for their countries and reiterated their commitment to taking India-ASEAN cooperation in the sector forward. Director-General, International Solar Alliance (ISA), briefed the Ministers on the vision and plans of the ISA and potential benefits for ASEAN member countries joining the alliance.

R.K. Singh, Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy, delivered the keynote address and said that India and ASEAN can work together to develop an entire ecosystem for renewables that promotes knowledge sharing, capacity building and technical assistance; and also explore joint initiatives for the development of renewable energy manufacturing hubs in the region.

He applauded ASEAN efforts to achieve the development of an ASEAN Power Grid and said that India foresees opportunities to expand this grid integration beyond ASEAN to the Indian sub-continent in line with the "One Sun One World One Grid" initiative.

The Minister congratulated Indonesia for taking over the presidency of G20 in 2022 and said that India will work closely with the Indonesian Presidency on facilitating as well as accelerating the global energy transition.

He reiterated India's commitment to work together with ASEAN to establish a strong relationship in the renewables sector based on the foundation of historical and cultural ties between the ASEAN and India.

All Ministerial participants, in their addresses, acknowledged the threat posed by climate change and reiterated their intention to transition to renewables to build a sustainable future.

The Ministers stressed the need for further strengthening of India-ASEAN cooperation in the renewable sector and looked forward to the conference to identify concrete areas and initiatives in this regard.

The ASEAN-India high-level conference will feature 5 technical sessions which would facilitate peer to peer discussions between experts from India and the ASEAN on themes of mutual interest.

The sessions will also offer global audiences including policymakers, professionals, academia and students from around the world a peek into India-ASEAN plans for taking their cooperation in renewables forward.

( With inputs from ANI )

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