TOKYO, Dec 18 — Addressing challenges and opportunities in clean energy while ensuring a “just transition,” requires broad support, particularly in financing, incentives, technology, and infrastructure, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“Malaysia will therefore welcome continuous support and cooperation from Japan, Australia, and others as we seek to accelerate our energy transition journey,” he said at the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Leaders’ Meeting in Tokyo today.
On its own, Malaysia will continue to pivot on practical solutions to drive progress, balancing climate ambition, sustainability and economic growth.
“My government had in August launched Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), drawing from, among others, AZEC initiatives,” Anwar said.
Malaysia also believes energy transition should be just, inclusive, and equitable, with a way forward that includes a progressive cooperation and collaboration model.
The nation is optimistic that AZEC will serve as a long-standing platform, promoting mutually beneficial cooperation in energy transition, particularly in the region.
AZEC is a collaborative platform to advance carbon neutrality and energy transition to achieve zero emission targets. Japan has committed to providing financial support of up to US$8 billion (RM37.5 billion) until 2030 for renewable energy projects and energy-saving initiatives within AZEC member countries.
They include Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Anwar also commended Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for the ASEC initiative.
Meanwhile, Kishda, in his opening address at the Asean-Japan Commemorative Summit, said Japan is ready to help Asean achieve zero emissions through multiple pathways.
Decarbonisation comes with multiple challenges, and innovation is key, where Japan is ready to take the lead.
He pointed to Japan’s Green Transformation (GX) Basic Policy, which outlines regulatory, financing, and technology development priorities for the green transformation of various industrial sectors, with a key pillar of the policy being the support for energy transition in Asia.
Kishida said under the policy launched in 2022 more than 350 projects have been launched in ASEC partner nations with collaboration from Japanese investors.
Although the decarbonisation of ASEC is a costly affair, he is confident the decarbonisation market will attract capital from around the world.
— Bernama
