Jakarta, 6 November 2026: Regional co-operation could reduce the cost of maintaining emergency oil reserves and help businesses invest in cleaner production, according to research presented at ERIA’s 2nd East Asia Media Caucus. Held under the theme Promoting ASEAN Energy Security and Advancing Green Growth, the forum brought researchers and journalists together to explore these opportunities and their implications for the region’s economies.

In his opening remarks, Dr Takayuki Yamanaka, Chief Operating Officer of ERIA, said recent disruptions to global energy supplies had underscored the importance of preparedness and regional co-operation. He also highlighted the potential of green growth and digital transformation to strengthen ASEAN’s competitiveness and regional integration.

ERIA’s modelling estimates that the annualised cost of holding additional oil reserves across ASEAN would be US$2.19 billion under a co-operative approach, compared with US$2.80 billion under a nationally led approach. For the same volume of additional reserves, the estimated cost would be approximately 22% lower under the co-operative approach.

Part of this difference reflects assumptions about ownership and financing. Under the co-operative approach, stocks remain owned by producers or partners, while participating countries secure negotiated access. The estimates exclude additional costs associated with emergency delivery and replenishment. These arrangements are ERIA’s research recommendations and do not constitute agreed ASEAN commitments.

Dr Han Phoumin, Senior Energy Economist at ERIA, said, ‘Having the right to draw on emergency stocks is only the first step. Countries need clear release procedures, suitable fuel, and the transport capacity to get supplies where they are needed. Voluntary pilots would allow governments and operators to test those arrangements before a disruption.’

Alongside energy preparedness, discussions examined how businesses could remain competitive as production becomes cleaner and more digital.

‘Put simply: ASEAN’s next competitive advantage will come from turning green growth, digital transformation, and regional integration into one economic agenda, ’ said Dr Intan Murnira Ramli, Senior Policy Fellow at ERIA.

Survey evidence cited by ERIA illustrates the challenges facing suppliers. Amongst Japanese firms surveyed in ASEAN, 53.3% were implementing decarbonisation measures, but only 7.1% reported switching to lower-emission suppliers or encouraging their suppliers to reduce emissions. A separate survey of local ASEAN firms found that smaller businesses were less likely to take action, with financing and technical capacity remaining the principal barriers.

Digital adoption faces similar constraints. Amongst the Japanese firms surveyed, 70.8% cited shortages of digital talent, while 64.7% identified high implementation costs. These findings highlight the need for targeted investment in skills and technology, alongside improved access to finance.

Participants discussed how regional co-operation on standards and connectivity could help address these challenges, including the potential contribution of a future ASEAN Green Economy Framework Agreement (GEFA). Dr Ramli emphasised that effective implementation would determine how successfully ASEAN could translate these opportunities into investment, stronger value chains, and better jobs.

The closing media exchange focused on verifying information during disruptions, communicating research findings, and assessing the implications of regional proposals for domestic audiences. Journalists and editors discussed how reporting could follow these policies through implementation to examine their effects on businesses and consumers.