ERIA Launches Asia Zero Emission Center to Drive Regional Energy Transition

Jakarta, 21 August 2024: ERIA proudly announced the launch of the Asia Zero Emission Center in Jakarta on 21 August 2024. The Center will serve as the home of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC), which was formed in 2023 by eleven partner countries.

ERIA President Tetsuya Watanabe expressed his gratitude to all attendees and described the launch as a pivotal moment for the region. He explained that the Center will serve as a platform to share information, conduct studies, and help AZEC partner countries, governments, and businesses develop visions, roadmaps, and policies related to decarbonisation, energy security, and sustainable economic growth.

'AZEC is well-positioned to offer a new model of regional cooperation and solutions that accelerate the energy transition while maintaining the momentum of rapid economic growth,' he added.

President Watanabe also expressed his deepest gratitude to all the ministers and stakeholders from across the region for their continued support and guidance. Amongst the ministers in attendance was Ken Saito, Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, who extended his appreciation to President Watanabe and the ERIA staff for their tremendous effort in making the launch happen.

'Last December, when I assumed the position of Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, the first significant event I undertook was the AZEC leaders' meeting. At this meeting, AZEC partner countries invited ERIA to establish the Asia Zero Emission Center,' he said. 'In this regard, witnessing the actual launch of the Center today is of great significance to me.'

Minister Saito outlined two key expectations for the Center. First, he envisions it as an intellectual engine that conducts high-quality research on clean energy initiatives. Second, he expects the Center to create synergies between AZEC stakeholders and various international organisations, such as the ASEAN Center for Energy, the Asian Development Bank, and the IEA.

'I hope that the Center will bridge various organisations and stakeholders by utilising ERIA's experience and the network built thus far. Japan, along with the partner countries, will provide not only support for decarbonisation projects but also policy support and coordination in the region,' Minister Saito said.

Satvinder Singh, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for the ASEAN Economic Community, echoed this sentiment.

'ASEAN has consistently benefited from the policy research and recommendations provided by ERIA, and we are confident that this new Center, with its resources, will be able to draw from the wealth of ERIA's knowledge and expertise,' Singh said.

Also present at the event was Airlangga Hartarto, Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, who viewed the Center as a 'knowledge and innovation hub' and a 'significant milestone' for a sustainable and resilient future.

'I believe the Center will play a pivotal role in advancing renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and fostering sustainable practices across all sectors of our economy,' Minister Airlangga stated.

Rosan Perkasa Roeslani, Indonesia's Minister of Investment, highlighted the Center's role in areas such as knowledge transfer and financial mobilisation, aligning it with Indonesia's goal to achieve net-zero targets by 2060.

'The AZEC Center is expected to implement the AZEC concept of addressing climate change, economic growth, and energy security through diverse and realistic pathways,' he stated. 'It is not only a research center but also a true promoter and driver of energy system decarbonisation and sustainable economic advancement in the region.'

The launch, which concluded with a tree-planting ceremony, was held in conjunction with the 2nd AZEC Ministerial Meeting, which produced joint recommendations for decarbonisation efforts in Asia.

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