Professor Hidetoshi Nishimura, the President of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and a high-level delegation of ERIA energy experts attended the Eleventh East Asia Summit (EAS) Energy Ministers Meeting (EMM) and related meetings on 26-29 September 2017 in Manila, Philippines.

The delegation consisted of the Senior Policy Fellow Prof Jun Arima, Special Advisor to the President on Energy Affairs; Mr Shigeru Kimura, Director General for Research Administration; Mr Shigeki Kamiyama, Senior Energy Economist; Dr Venkatachalam Anbumozhi, and Energy Economist; and Dr Yanfei Li. Professor Nishimura delivered a presentation on ERIA's research activities at the Eleventh EAS EMM and held several bilateral meetings.

The annual meeting included ASEAN member states and dialogue partners Australia, China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the Russian Federation, and the United States.

Presentation to EAS Energy Ministers

Prof Nishimura presented an overview of ERIA's energy studies to the Ministers on 28 September 2017.ERIA's recent research on energy includes 19 projects serving the strategic policy directions spelled out in the EMM, EAS member countries and ERIA, namely, sharing regional supply/demand outlook, enhancement of energy supply security and climate change mitigation and environment protection.

Projects in the field of energy supply/demand outlook include:

• Low emissions scenario

Projects in the field of energy security include:

• Oil supply resilience in ASEAN
• Better social acceptance for power plants
• Sustainable development of gas markets
• LNG demand potential and investment in LNG infrastructure

Projects in the field of energy and environment include:

• Energy efficiency in the transport sector in ASEAN
• Emission regulation for coal-fired power plants in ASEAN

Prof Nishimura then presented the key findings and recommendations from two studies: (1) LNG demand potential and investment in LNG logistic infrastructure and (2) the 1st East Asia Energy Forum.

The LNG study was proposed by Japan at the EMM in 2016 and welcomed by the Ministers. The study estimates first the potential growth of gas demand, and second, the necessary investment in infrastructure on the supply side. The findings could serve as a very useful point of departure for a regional discussion on the expanded use of natural gas. Inputs and comments from Member countries reflecting their specific national circumstances would be most welcome.

Prof Nishimura proposed that the next steps for the LNG project would be to organize a workshop to discuss the main outcomes of this analysis with the participation of key players in the public and private sector.

The 1st East Asia Energy Forum (EAEF) was held back-to-back with Asia Cooperation Dialogue on 9th August 2017, Bohol, Philippines, as a part of Energy Research Institute Network (ERIN) activities. The Forum focused on how to supply and use fossil fuel. The resulting 'Bohol Reflection', was distributed to the Ministers. Its fundamental messages are:

• Fossil fuel will play still dominant role in the region in 2040
• Oil demand will further grow, but emergency preparedness is lagging behind
• Gas demand will also grow and flexibility market and competitive price is essential
• Coal is an important fuel and needs to overcome negative image

Prof Nishimura also presented the EAS Mid Term Energy Policy Research Roadmap, which was formulated through an intensive consultation process with EAS member countries. The main purpose of the Roadmap is to provide a comprehensive picture of on-going and planned research activities with a view to contributing to strategic policy directions spelled out by the EMM and others.

ERIA Mentioned in the Joint Ministerial Statement of the Eleventh East Asia Summit Energy Ministers Meeting

The Joint Ministerial Statement for the Eleventh EAS Energy Ministers Meeting recognised ERIA's contribution to advance EAS collaboration on natural gas in the ninth paragraph:

9. Initiative on the promotion of natural gas. To advance the EAS collaboration on natural gas, the Ministers noted the progress on Japan's proposal during the 10th EAS EMM to facilitate collaboration and discussion among EAS countries on ways in which governments can encourage the development of natural gas markets and to endeavour to formulate pro-market policy options to ensure that gas markets operate in an efficient and transparent manner within the region. The Ministers further welcomed the ongoing study by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) with the support of the ASEAN Council on Petroleum (ASCOPE) and the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) to formulate policy options for promoting utilisation of natural gas including LNG in the region. The initial findings indicate that natural gas demand in the EAS region could potentially expand more than two times between now and 2030 and will require about $80 billion in LNG supply chain investments to meet this demand. It was also noted that increased utilisation of natural gas and LNG as an alternative fuel source could significantly contribute to the region's emissions reductions.

The Statement also recognised ERIA's work in developing the EAS Roadmap for Mid Term Energy Policy Research in the eleventh paragraph:

11. EAS policy research roadmap. The Ministers welcomed the adoption of the new EAS Mid-Term Energy Policy Research Roadmap towards building strong energy research capability in support of EAS discussions on energy cooperation. The Research Roadmap is expected to help provide a longer term view and coherence to the numerous policy research initiatives supporting the policy directions spelled out by the EAS EMM. It is also intended to link to the implementation of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) and to include other research activities or initiatives promoted within the EAS framework. The Ministers expressed appreciation for the efforts led by Japan and ERIA in developing the Research Roadmap as well as the regular briefings provided to the EAS on the findings and policy implications of ERIA's energy policy research conducted in the past year such as oil supply resilience, emission regulation and public acceptance of coal-fired power plant, energy efficiency in the transport sector.

The Statement also noted the First East Asia Energy Forum and the 'Bohol Reflection' in the 12th paragraph:

12. Platforms for forum cooperation. The Ministers appreciated China's proposal to formalise the EAS Clean Energy Forum into a regular forum cooperation mechanism for thematic discussions and high-level multilateral and bilateral dialogues focusing on clean energy development in the region. The Ministers noted that the 3rd EAS Clean Energy Forum was held on 3-4 July 2017 in Kunming, China. The Ministers similarly noted Japan's invitation to the 6th LNG Producer Consumer Conference to be held on 18 October 2017 in Tokyo, Japan. The Conference is an annual event (held since 2012) that serves as a platform for producers, consumers and other key LNG players to discuss developments and key challenges on LNG in the region. The Ministers also noted the convening of the 1st East Asia Energy Forum held in Bohol, Philippines in August 2017, and welcomed the "Bohol Reflections" prepared by the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam and ERIA.

Please click here to read the complete text of the Joint Ministerial Statement of the Eleventh EAS Energy Ministers Meeting.

Bilateral Meetings

Prof Nishimura and Mr Kimura held bilateral meetings with:

Brunei Darussalam

The Minister of Energy and Industry at the Prime Minister's Office to discuss the ERIA Mid-Term Energy Policy Research Roadmap, the Temburong Eco Town Project and the Bohol Reflection. In addition, ERIA suggested the Minister to visit NEC Innovation World during his stay in Tokyo when he will be attending the LNG Produce-Consumer Conference to be held on 18 October.

Cambodia

The Secretary of State of Ministry of Mines and Energy, Cambodia to discuss an energy masterplan that includes oil and gas pipeline, energy statistics, renewable roadmap as well as regulatory framework.

Lao PDR

The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Energy and Mines, Lao PDR to discuss the launching ceremony for the energy statistics publication as well as the upcoming research on energy outlook. The Ministry requested that ERIA continue assistance including more capacity building.

Myanmar

Managing Director of Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise representing the Ministry of Electricity and Energy of Myanmar to discuss capacity building support for energy statistics, energy consumption, as well as the creation and use of energy outlook.

Vietnam

The Vice Minister of Industry and Trade to discuss the masterplan including energy mix and renewable energy.