IESR and Southeast Asia Energy Transition Think Tank Collaborative Network (SETC) Exchange to the Philippines and Malaysia
The Philippines, July 21-22, 2025
Day 1 - Monday, July 21st, 2025
First Group Meeting of the Day - The meeting started with a warm introduction from the IESR. We were sitting at a U-shaped table. I enjoyed that for two reasons. Firstly, the conversation could become quite intimate; clean energy is a complex topic to discuss, so having this kind of setting helped break the ice among our expert fellows. Secondly, in a tight space like that you tend to put more effort into putting your phone away and listening, actively participating in the workshop. The team kicked off with a presentation from the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) on the report they were releasing on the media landscape, looking at various countries in Asia. Cambodia hasn’t been included yet, but the aspiration was there for the future study. Fear not, we shall still learn from this report:
The group discussed this work for some time, with many ideas exchanged. In fact, we ran over time.
First Group Meeting of the Day - The meeting started with a warm introduction from the IESR. We were sitting at a U-shaped table. I enjoyed that for two reasons. Firstly, the conversation could become quite intimate; clean energy is a complex topic to discuss, so having this kind of setting helped break the ice among our expert fellows. Secondly, in a tight space like that you tend to put more effort into putting your phone away and listening, actively participating in the workshop. The team kicked off with a presentation from the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) on the report they were releasing on the media landscape, looking at various countries in Asia. Cambodia hasn’t been included yet, but the aspiration was there for the future study. Fear not, we shall still learn from this report:
- The State of Energy Transition Narratives in the Philippines and Asia: A Guide to Current Energy Transition Themes in Asia’s Media Landscape recognises the role of media and communications in highlighting the consequences of staying with fossil fuels and the opportunities that come with renewable energy. The report aims to guide civil society and non-government organizations (NGOs) across Southeast Asia in developing strategies for their energy transition campaigns by presenting recommendations to effectively move narratives away from fossil fuels and further promote the shift toward renewable energy sources, based on prevailing themes in their respective countries. In this way, the report showed how the energy transition can be aligned with national and regional values.
- Two of the key findings I found useful were these:
- (Spoiler: Solar is having a moment.) Renewable energy, especially solar, is a dominant topic across all countries.
- Media tonality trends support renewable energy, with renewables receiving favorable coverage (e.g., 66% positive in Vietnam) while nuclear and coal encountering higher negativity (e.g., 37% negative for coal in Japan)
The group discussed this work for some time, with many ideas exchanged. In fact, we ran over time.
The Philippines, July 21-22, 2025
Day 2 - Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025
Second day Meeting - As you might have heard from the news, there was an unwelcome typhoon in the Philippines. The organiser has informed us the night before that the scheduled meeting with the Philippines' government has been cancelled due to current circumstances. I must admit that was a big bummer.
However, the discussion on renewable energy must go on. The group gathered in the afternoon (as scheduled at the meeting room at the hotel where we were all staying) to continue the agenda of the day. There were two important presentations that took place.
Second day Meeting - As you might have heard from the news, there was an unwelcome typhoon in the Philippines. The organiser has informed us the night before that the scheduled meeting with the Philippines' government has been cancelled due to current circumstances. I must admit that was a big bummer.
However, the discussion on renewable energy must go on. The group gathered in the afternoon (as scheduled at the meeting room at the hotel where we were all staying) to continue the agenda of the day. There were two important presentations that took place.
- Discussion of a collaborative policy brief that aims to provide a clear picture of the renewable energy opportunity in the region and recommendations on how Malaysian Chairmanship 2025 could tactically and strategically “lead to a bold regional transformation" in the energy sector.
- COP30 and the Next Global Stocktake - What it means for ASEAN, presented by the Director for Climate Policy from the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC). COP is just around the corner so it’s important we start planning now. At COP29 in Baku (2024), negotiations were underway to set a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for climate finance, aiming for at least $300 billion annually from developed countries by 2035. However, this fell far short of the estimated $5.8–5.9 trillion needed by 2030 to meet developing countries’ NDCs. What does it mean for ASEAN? It means that it is critical for the region to strengthen access to climate finance mechanisms (e.g., Green Climate Fund) and improve regional accountability in finance tracking to tackle climate change.
Malaysia, July 24-25, 2025
Day 3 - Thursday, July 23rd, 2025
Opening remarks and keynote presentations - first day in Malaysia was off to a great start with the opening remarks from Prof. Dr. Norasikin Ahmad Ludin, Director of Solar Energy Research Institute, University Kebangsaan Malaysia. She touched on many important issues. One that stood out to me the most was around the connectivity in ASEAN and the increased appetite for data centers.
The morning proceeded with two keynote speakers, Rumaizi Abdul Halim, Director of Strategic Planning & Communication, Energy Commission of Malaysia, and Mrs Monika Merdekawati, Senior Research Analyst of Sustainable and Renewable Energy (SRE) Department, ASEAN Centre for Energy.
Rumaizi shared some important updates on Malaysia's energy sector and outlined how this year’s Malaysian Championship might look in terms of capturing the opportunities and challenges. I could feel the room actively taking notes and listening very closely to the speaker. This is the kind of productive meeting I was hoping for. The pressure is certainly on for Malaysia, but I can’t wait to see what unfolds for the region.
Monika’s presentation brought a bird's-eye view to understand the regional progress on renewable energy. These included Renewable Certificate Regional Framework, Energy Transition Strategies, geopolitics of the transition and implications and, most importantly, the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC), which would be coming soon this year. For those who might not be familiar with APEAC, you can learn more here.
That was half of the morning. It would be cruel not to include the coffee break, so we had one, and it was nice.
After the break, the agenda continued with a series of facilitated discussions on various topics (I must say, with topics like this, you certainly needed the right amount of caffeine, any kind really…). The topics included:
Day 4 - Friday, July 24th, 2025
Breakfast and Strategic Networking - the first meeting of the last day kicked off with a nice breakfast with Prof. Dr. Sufian Jusoh, Vice-Chancellor, National University of Malaysia. The discussion revolved around two things: 1) the engagement think tanks could play to support the acceleration of clean energy in the region, and 2) the strategic pathway to support the think tanks to do that. I was inspired to learn that there would always be a way for engagement and to move the needle when there was enough will to do it.
The morning moved quickly when you enjoyed the conversation.
The next agenda was to regroup and discuss the work plan for the remainder of the year. Many activities have been proposed as part of the plan, and the meeting concluded with a positive message from the organiser (IERS) on the way forward and how each organization could contribute.
Site Visit to National Energy Centre - The trip wrapped up on a high note with a visit to Malaysia’s soon-to-launch National Energy Centre—a state-of-the-art hub dedicated to research, innovation, and collaboration in renewable energy. Still under wraps ahead of its official opening later this year, stepping into the building felt like getting a sneak peek at the future.
It had everything: labs buzzing with potential, collaborative workspaces, and quiet corners made for deep thinking (and yes, I may have sat in one just to soak it all in). More than just a facility, it felt like a statement—a physical commitment to a cleaner, smarter energy future.
It was the perfect way to close the journey: inspiring, hopeful, and quietly powerful. As we walked through the halls, you could almost feel the ideas already taking shape. And as someone from Cambodia’s EnergyLab, I couldn’t help but dream: What if we had a space like this back home?
Because if change starts anywhere, it starts here—in places where people are given the tools, the room, and the vision to build something better.
About EnergyLab
Founded in 2018, EnergyLab Cambodia is an innovative and efficient not-for-profit organisation working to support the growth of Clean Energy. Since our establishment, we have been recognised by our partners as independent, insightful and resourceful, with a transparent agenda to support Clean Energy.
Address: G1101, GIA Tower, Sopheak Mongkul Street, Koh Pict City, Sangkat Tonle Bassac, Khan Chamkamorn, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Website: https://energylab.asia/
For media inquiries, please contact:
Opening remarks and keynote presentations - first day in Malaysia was off to a great start with the opening remarks from Prof. Dr. Norasikin Ahmad Ludin, Director of Solar Energy Research Institute, University Kebangsaan Malaysia. She touched on many important issues. One that stood out to me the most was around the connectivity in ASEAN and the increased appetite for data centers.
The morning proceeded with two keynote speakers, Rumaizi Abdul Halim, Director of Strategic Planning & Communication, Energy Commission of Malaysia, and Mrs Monika Merdekawati, Senior Research Analyst of Sustainable and Renewable Energy (SRE) Department, ASEAN Centre for Energy.
Rumaizi shared some important updates on Malaysia's energy sector and outlined how this year’s Malaysian Championship might look in terms of capturing the opportunities and challenges. I could feel the room actively taking notes and listening very closely to the speaker. This is the kind of productive meeting I was hoping for. The pressure is certainly on for Malaysia, but I can’t wait to see what unfolds for the region.
Monika’s presentation brought a bird's-eye view to understand the regional progress on renewable energy. These included Renewable Certificate Regional Framework, Energy Transition Strategies, geopolitics of the transition and implications and, most importantly, the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC), which would be coming soon this year. For those who might not be familiar with APEAC, you can learn more here.
That was half of the morning. It would be cruel not to include the coffee break, so we had one, and it was nice.
After the break, the agenda continued with a series of facilitated discussions on various topics (I must say, with topics like this, you certainly needed the right amount of caffeine, any kind really…). The topics included:
- Unlocking Renewable Energy in Malaysia and Southeast Asia: What Will It Take?
- Financing, Inclusion, and Grid Readiness: Accelerating Change
- Opportunities for Regional Collaboration and Joint Actions
Day 4 - Friday, July 24th, 2025
Breakfast and Strategic Networking - the first meeting of the last day kicked off with a nice breakfast with Prof. Dr. Sufian Jusoh, Vice-Chancellor, National University of Malaysia. The discussion revolved around two things: 1) the engagement think tanks could play to support the acceleration of clean energy in the region, and 2) the strategic pathway to support the think tanks to do that. I was inspired to learn that there would always be a way for engagement and to move the needle when there was enough will to do it.
The morning moved quickly when you enjoyed the conversation.
The next agenda was to regroup and discuss the work plan for the remainder of the year. Many activities have been proposed as part of the plan, and the meeting concluded with a positive message from the organiser (IERS) on the way forward and how each organization could contribute.
Site Visit to National Energy Centre - The trip wrapped up on a high note with a visit to Malaysia’s soon-to-launch National Energy Centre—a state-of-the-art hub dedicated to research, innovation, and collaboration in renewable energy. Still under wraps ahead of its official opening later this year, stepping into the building felt like getting a sneak peek at the future.
It had everything: labs buzzing with potential, collaborative workspaces, and quiet corners made for deep thinking (and yes, I may have sat in one just to soak it all in). More than just a facility, it felt like a statement—a physical commitment to a cleaner, smarter energy future.
It was the perfect way to close the journey: inspiring, hopeful, and quietly powerful. As we walked through the halls, you could almost feel the ideas already taking shape. And as someone from Cambodia’s EnergyLab, I couldn’t help but dream: What if we had a space like this back home?
Because if change starts anywhere, it starts here—in places where people are given the tools, the room, and the vision to build something better.
About EnergyLab
Founded in 2018, EnergyLab Cambodia is an innovative and efficient not-for-profit organisation working to support the growth of Clean Energy. Since our establishment, we have been recognised by our partners as independent, insightful and resourceful, with a transparent agenda to support Clean Energy.
Address: G1101, GIA Tower, Sopheak Mongkul Street, Koh Pict City, Sangkat Tonle Bassac, Khan Chamkamorn, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Website: https://energylab.asia/
For media inquiries, please contact:
- Email: media@energylab.asia