Talking Energy Asia with Datin Anita Azrina Abdul Aziz
Asia is at the heart of a global energy transition. This vibrant region is a major engine of global growth, incorporating a diverse range of nations with their own unique resources and growth strategies.
This high-growth landscape means Asia faces a pressing need to decarbonise, highlighted by Datin Anita Azrina Abdul Aziz, Senior General Manager, Group Strategic Relations and Communications, PETRONAS, speaking recently on BFM 89.9.
“Despite being a resource-rich region, Asia accounts for about 45% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions… Asia is faced with a myriad of challenges of meeting their net zero carbon targets.”
The varied availability of resources, differing policy landscapes, and differentiated levels of economic development and wealth mean collaboration will be key to ensuring an effective and just energy transition that supports a shared net-zero journey across the region. That’s where Energy Asia comes in,” said Anita.
“The conference [Energy Asia] will address the region’s challenges and set to define actionable solutions… for transition to a low carbon energy future. The energy industry will unite to discuss the role of policies, financing, innovation, digital transformation and collaboration among countries in advancing efforts towards Asia’s just and responsible transition.”
There is no one-size-fits-all solution to decarbonization in a region as richly diverse as Asia. There will be differing energy transition pathways. “[Asia] will need differing energy transition pathways and a transformation of this scale requires careful planning and collective action from all stakeholders which is what we hope to achieve at Energy Asia,” said Anita.
“As to why PETRONAS is leading this discourse, as an energy player operating in the heart of the region, we are committed in addressing the energy transition responsibly, adhering to the value that the strategy must be practical and consider the needs of emerging economies to ensure that no one is left behind,” she added.
Addressing an Energy Trilemma
A key part of navigating the path forward is addressing the energy trilemma—ensuring energy that is secure, affordable, and sustainable in a way that meets the needs of each unique nation. That’s particularly important in a dynamic and interconnected global landscape.
“In terms of risks which will be delved into further at Energy Asia – at the forefront for everyone are concerns around energy driven by geopolitics and geoeconomics. So we must consider how volatility from conflict, from population growth, and surges in energy demand can impact policies and the strategic direction for economies and businesses in the region,” said Anita.
Energy Asia has a wide-reaching agenda, looking to explore and address many of the vital challenges and opportunities of Asia’s energy transition
These themes, and the broader agenda of charting pathways to a sustainable Asia, were identified through detailed stakeholder engagement highlights Anita. This includes discussion of key topics such as decarbonisation policies, current and future scenarios for the energy mix, meeting energy needs for growth, technologies, financing, as well as capital needs to achieve climate goals for the region.
Energy Asia is working closely with Knowledge Partner, Ceraweek by S&P Global, to help inform this conversation. “CERAWeek is an annual energy conference that provides an integrated framework for understanding what’s ahead for global energy markets, geopolitics, and technology. As Knowledge Partner, CERAWeek by S&P Global will provide their expertise to co-create Energy Asia. So this is done through energy industry insights, advisory, and support from the multi-stakeholder dialogues, and contribute towards the development of conference content and programmes,” said Anita.
Energy Asia’s Energising Agenda
Energy insight and ecosystem understanding will be further enhanced by the attendance of major decision makers and thought leaders participating and addressing Energy Asia.
“We are really excited that we have an exciting line of speakers for Energy Asia 2023. Featuring renowned speakers and leaders from government bodies and agencies, industry leaders from the energy, finance, and technology sector, and others who are key players in tackling the energy transition challenges,” said Anita.
The conference will be officiated by The Right Honourable Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, with speakers including Indonesia’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, His Excellency Arifin Tasrif, The Secretary General of OPEC, His Excellency Haitham Al Ghais, and energy leaders including Tengku Muhammad Taufik, President and Group CEO of PETRONAS, Sushil Purohit, CEO of Gentari, and Iman Hill, CEO of the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP).
They will be joined by energy transition experts such as Amy Chua, President of SLB Asia, Madelena Mohamed, Director of Sustainability Unit, Central Bank of Malaysia, and Dr Naoko Ishii, Professor and Executive Vice President, University of Tokyo.
“We welcome anyone and everyone to attend Energy Asia, be it delegates from the energy, finance, technology, and public sector. For the first Energy Asia we are expecting more than 2,000 delegates from around the world. And the delegate passes are selling fast,” said Anita.
This is a transformative event in Asia’s shared energy future, as the first in a conference series with ambitions to steer Asia towards a more sustainable future.
Anita was clear on the importance of this event. “If it’s a message I would like to give from this – the goal is to decarbonise the region by subscribing to global best practices, best-in-class technologies, innovative solutions that lead to a just transition for Asia. We can achieve this through intra-regional collaborations amongst others, capitalising on each other nation’s unique set of policy ambitions. So be part of this conversation, and get your delegate passes quickly.”
Be part of the conversation and get your delegate passes! See you at Energy Asia 2023
