Prof. Hidetoshi Nishimura, Executive Director of ERIA was invited to the 7th East Asia Summit (EAS) Energy Ministers Meeting on September 26, 2013 in Bali, Indonesia.

The Meeting was chaired by H.E. Jero Wacik, Minister of Energy and Mineral of Indonesia and co-chaired by H.E. Kazuyoshi Akaba, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan.

During the Meeting, Prof. Nishimura reported major key findings and policy implications of energy research studies tasked out by 6th EAS Energy Ministers Meeting, which are Energy outlooks for medium-to-long term, Strategic usage of coal through Clean Coal Technologies, Optimum electric power infrastructure, Nuclear power safety management, Smart urban traffic promoting energy efficiency of transport sector, highlighting to say that "Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EEC) and New and Renewable Energy (NRE) investment would bring 4% GDP increase comparing to Business As Usual (BAU) case through dynamic economic structural change". He also introduced the new research studies in NRE field and capacity building activities.

As the sideline event of Energy Ministers Meeting, ASEAN Energy Business Forum was held on September 25, 2013. Dr. Han Phoumin, Energy Economist of ERIA, attended as a panelist in session 5 on "Greater Role of Energy Efficiency Challenges in ASEAN". Dr. Phoumin made a presentation on "Energy Market Integration". He stressed that EAS countries should speed up the implementation of Energy Market Integration as it provides benefits to economy at large.

In the Joint Ministerial Statement of the 7th EAS Energy Ministers Meeting, ERIA's efforts are mentioned in paragraph 4, 5, 7, 8.

Joint Ministerial Statement of the 7th EAS Energy Ministers Meeting

4. The Ministers noted with satisfaction the further progress made in the Biofuels for Transport and Other Purposes Work Stream, specifically the further development of the Biofuels Database in East Asia Countries to include good practices of utilizing biofuels in respective countries, the research activities taken under the Asia Biomass Energy Researchers Invitation Programme, and the joint studies on Biodiesel Fuel Standardisation and Sustainability Assessment of Biomass Utilisation in East Asia that include sustainability indicators conducted by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA).

5. The Ministers noted the ERIA Research Study Project on "Energy Market Integration (EMI) in East Asia", the focus of which in 2012-2013 was the integration of renewable energy into the power transmission grid.

7. In order to enhance EAS energy cooperation and promote energy security, the Ministers recognised the importance of sharing medium-to-long term outlooks for energy supply and demand across the EAS region, given the growing energy demand in the region and the probable implications of natural disasters and extreme weather on existing energy infrastructure. In this regard, the Ministers acknowledged the close collaboration of the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), the International Energy Agency (IEA), ERIA, and other parties in conducting energy outlook studies for the South East Asia and EAS regions. The Ministers particularly welcomed the Special Report on "South East Asia Energy Outlook" which is published in connection with the IEA's 2013 edition of the World Energy Outlook (WEO 2013) and ERIA's East Asia Energy Outlook. This outlook provides a robust analysis of energy demand prospects, energy resources and supply potential, implications of energy development in balancing supply for domestic use, exports and impacts on energy security, environment and economy in the associated regions and is expected to be followed up by IEA in collaboration with ERIA. The Ministers also expressed appreciation to Thailand for hosting the IEA-ERIA Workshop on the ASEAN Energy Outlook on 7 May 2013.

8. The Ministers welcomed with appreciation the steady progress of the ERIA research studies as agreed upon at the 2012 Ministerial Meeting: namely (a) EAS energy outlooks for the medium-to-long term, (b) strategic usage of coal through Clean Coal Technology including high efficiency coal-fired power generation, (c) optimum electric power infrastructure, (d) nuclear power safety management, and (e) smart urban traffic promoting energy efficiency of the transport sector. The Ministers also endorsed the commencement of a new research study on a sustainable natural gas market in the EAS region. The Ministers appreciated the contribution of relevant institutions to the enhancement of energy cooperation and energy security in EAS region. The Ministers tasked ERIA to report the outcomes of the research studies and cooperation initiatives to future relevant ASEAN and EAS energy cooperation fora.

In its paragraph 6, ERIA's energy research studies are mentioned;

6.The Ministers welcomed the United States Asia Pacific Comprehensive Energy Partnership (USACEP) announced by the United States, Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia at the 7th East Asia Summit in November 2012. The Ministers welcomed the establishment of the new and fourth Work Stream of the EAS Energy Cooperation Task Force, namely "Renewable and Alternative Power Generation Work Stream", and congratulated Brunei Darussalam and the United States for initiating the comprehensive effort as one of the activities under USACEP and the EAS ECTF. The new Work Stream will cover seven work areas, namely: (a) Strengthening Policies to Scale-up Investments, (b) Renewable Technology Demonstration and Testing, c) Knowledge Sharing and Renewable Energy Resource Mapping, (d) Climate Change Impacts on the Energy Sector, (e) Sustainable Hydropower Technology Development, (f) Study on Best Mix of Renewable and Conventional Energy Sources Sustainable for various Asian Countries, and (g) Sustainability Assessment of Utilising Conventional and New Type of Geothermal Resources in East Asia.

Joint Ministerial Statement of 7th EAS Energy Ministers Meeting