OPINION

Thailand advances Asean energy partnership

News, Published on 22/02/2019

» As Asean chair for 2019, Thailand is expected to excel in leading the grouping to collectively address regional issues. Announced by Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha last year, the current chairmanship theme of "Advancing Partnership for Sustainability" carries a significant message for the regional cooperation. The word "advancing" is selected to encourage Asean to continuously keep up with and adopt the disruptive technological development of the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0). With the word "partnership", Thailand wishes all Asean member states (AMS) to strengthen economic cooperation so Asean can play a bigger role in solving global challenges. "Sustainability", on the other hand, reflects how all efforts at national and regional levels should be done in a sustainable manner for all economic sectors. But what does "advancing partnership for sustainability" mean for Asean energy cooperation?