Geneva, 23 August 2016 - On the 30th of August 2016, the Department of Alternative Energy and Development and Efficiency, Ministry of Energy of Thailand (DEDE), along with UNEP and the International Copper Association (ICA), hosted a regional stakeholder workshop for the scoping study "Intra-ASEAN Value Chain Cooperation and Trade in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Technologies", in Bangkok, Thailand. The study provides a detailed analysis of the potential for increasing intra-ASEAN value chain cooperation and trade in seven selected clean energy technologies, and of related benefits for ASEAN countries. The study is coordinated by the UNEP Trade Unit, in close partnership with the UNEP Regional Office for Asia Pacific, UNEP Energy Branch and SWITCH Asia.
The regional stakeholder workshop served to (i) provide a formal introduction to the study, (ii) present draft findings, (iii) collect stakeholder comments and feedback on the draft report, and (iv) collect stakeholder feedback for regional policy recommendations. The workshop assembled 40 participants including various ASEAN country representatives from ministries in charge of trade, energy efficiency policy and renewable energy policy. In addition, international experts representing NGOs, civil society and the private sector were also present.
During the afternoon session, participants were spread into groups consistent with their respective field of work (trade, energy efficiency, renewable energy). The groups particularly concentrated their discussion on analyzing and identifying means to address the tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade and accelerated deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.
A panel discussion was also held, and following immediate feedback handed in afterwards, this first stakeholder consultation was considered a success.
The results of the discussions held during this workshop, and the evaluation results are now being compiled for revision of the draft study report. The final report recommendations will be presented during a second stakeholder consultation to be held in late October or early November 2016.
The scoping study forms part of the wider ASEAN SHINE portfolio, and will be complemented by an ASEAN policy roadmap for the seven selected technologies. To accentuate linkages across the different activities under ASEAN SHINE, the workshop was held back-to-back with an ASEAN SHINE Steering Committee meeting, which took place on 31 August in Bangkok.
The presentations made during the workshop are being uploaded under the ASEAN SHINE website and will soon be available.
For further information on the UNEP Trade work, please visit the web pages of the UNEP Environment and Trade Hub.
To learn more, click here.
