1. The 6th CEFIA Government-Private Forum

1. CEFIA (Cleaner Energy Future Initiative for ASEAN) is a public-private initiative proposed by the Government of Japan to advance the dissemination of decarbonization technologies and establishment of related policies and systems under the leadership of businesses with the aim of promoting decarbonization and energy transition in the ASEAN region. It began its initiatives in September 2019.
2. The 6th CEFIA Government-Private Forum was held on July 23, 2024, bringing together stakeholders from the governments, companies, and financial institutes of Japan and ASEAN countries.
3. At the forum, representatives of participating companies and industrial associations engaging in specific projects (flagship projects) that have been conducted under CEFIA explained the current state of the activities involving the projects. In addition, latest initiatives undertaken by Japanese industrial players in the fields of human resource development involving digital transformation (DX) and green transformation (GX) in factories, hydrogen, and ammonia were explained, as well as cross-cutting efforts, including financing, avoided emissions, and fostering entrepreneurs. Moreover, participants held discussions on financial instruments and de-risking mechanism to promote decarbonizing technologies from a variety of standpoints, including the governments and local banks of ASEAN countries, as well as on the future directions of the public-private collaboration under CEFIA.

2. Opening Remarks from State Minister Iwata

At the beginning of the forum, State Minister Iwata delivered opening remarks viavideo message as a representative of the Government of Japan. At the beginning of his remarks, he stated that over 350 ongoing tangible projects were reported to the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Leaders Meeting held in December 2023 and that the leaders welcomed CEFIA as an activity to promote public-private cooperation. In addition, he stated that Japan will further accelerate AZEC initiatives, including establishment of the Asia Zero Emission Center at the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), and also that Japan and Indonesia will co-host AZEC Ministerial Meeting in Jakarta in August 2024. At the end of his remarks, he proposed to hold the next CEFIA Government-Private Forum in Japan for the first time, and this proposal was welcomed by the governments of participating ASEAN countries.

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3. Forum Highlights

1. Session II: Progress of Flagship Projects and Future Action

Presentations were made on the progress in and the next steps of the following flagship projects that CEFIA has been working on to introduce decarbonizing technologies: RENKEI (RENKEI Control: IoT-based energy efficiency through power optimization at factories, etc.), ZEB (Net Zero Energy Buildings), SteelEcosol (energy saving at steel plants by introducing best available energy-saving technologies), air-conditioning systems (introduction of AC systems striking a balance between energy saving and comfort), biochar (utilization of biochar to store carbon generated from biomass), and microgrids (introduction of an energy management system that integrates renewable energy and storage batteries).

2. Session III: Introduction of Japan’s Advanced Decarbonizing Technologies and Initiatives

As Japan’s advanced decarbonizing technologies and initiatives, human resource development in the introduction of DX and GX to factories, industrial associations’ efforts in the fields of hydrogen and ammonia, and business catalog of a compilation of Japanese companies’ decarbonizing technologies were introduced.

3. Session IV: Progress of Cross-Cutting Field and Future Action

Presentations were made to explain cross-cutting initiatives of common importance for each project including mobilizing financing for decarbonizing projects, avoided emissions, and fostering entrepreneurs in the field of cleantech.

4. Session V: Panel Discussion on Financing to Promote the Introduction of Decarbonizing Technologies

Participants held discussions on financial instruments and de-risking mechanisms to accelerate the development and dissemination of decarbonization technologies from a variety of standpoints, including the governments and local banks of Japan and ASEAN countries. The Government of Japan introduced its initiatives for transition finance, including GX Economy Transition Bonds.

5. Session VI: Discussions on Future Activities of CEFIA

ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) for post 2025 was shared, followed by discussions on how CEFIA should contribute to ASEAN's decarbonization and energy transition in the future, including the implementation of APAEC, lessons learned so far, and future expectations.

Related Link

• The 6th CEFIA ForumLink

Division in Charge

Global Environmental Affairs Office, GX Policy Group