Overview

The AZEC Advocacy Group seeks to provide advice and endorsements to the decarbonisation initiatives under the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC). The group serves as a platform to strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors, while bringing together private enterprises to share insights, identify common challenges, and unlock new opportunities for a sustainable economy.

The ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), and ERIA jointly launched the AZEC Advocacy Group at the AZEC Leaders' Meeting in December 2023. The group advocates practical approaches to achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth, energy security and resilience, and decarbonisation across AZEC countries.

It also submits joint recommendations to the annual AZEC Ministerial Meeting, with the aim of fostering alignment amongst AZEC partner countries in advancing the energy transition.

Activities

First Year

At the outset, the AZEC Advocacy Group presented its first joint recommendation at the 2024 AZEC Ministerial Meeting. This recommendation was developed through roundtable discussions, which also facilitated engagement amongst business leaders and policymakers to strengthen public—private co-operation in advancing decarbonisation and energy transitions in Asia.

The group addressed the need to advance the energy transition, to enhance regional collaboration, and to mobilise investment. It emphasised the necessity for balanced approaches that support economic growth, energy security, and carbon neutrality, while recognising diverse national circumstances.

First AZEC Advocacy Group Joint Recommendation

Driving Decarbonisation and Energy Transitions Through Public—Private Cooperation: The First AZEC Advocacy Group Round Table was Held in Jakarta | Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)

Second Year

During the 2025 AZEC Ministerial Meeting, the AZEC Advocacy Group presented its second joint recommendation. It highlighted the business community's need for practical co-operation and policy frameworks to accelerate the transition towards carbon neutrality and net-zero emissions, while safeguarding economic growth and energy security.

Acknowledging the importance of inclusivity in the AZEC platform, the group emphasised the necessity of collaboration between government and business. Joint research, knowledge sharing, and capacity building were identified as key coordination mechanisms to enhance co-operation amongst AZEC partner countries.

Second AZEC Advocacy Group Joint Recommendation

AZEC Advocacy Group Submits Joint Recommendation to the 3rd AZEC Ministerial Meeting | Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)