Malaysia and ASEAN Centre for Energy Advance Gender Equity and Low-Carbon Transition through Back-to-Back Regional Dialogues in Kuala Lumpur

Photo 1. (Left to right) Aldilla Rakhiemah, Project Manager of ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project (ACCEPT) Phase II, H.E Morten Paulsen, Ambassador of Norway to Malaysia and Brunei, Puan Mareena Mahpudz, Alternate Senior Official on Energy Leader of Malaysia and Deputy Secretary-General of Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, and Dr Zulfikar Yurnaidi, Manager of Energy Modelling and Policy Planning (MPP) Department at ACE during the event.

The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE, or the Centre), in collaboration with Malaysia’s Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), hosted two high-level regional events in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, aimed at driving a just, inclusive, and low-carbon energy transition across Southeast Asia.

Both forums were held in conjunction with Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship, themed “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, and mark key contributions to the development of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2026–2030, the region’s energy blueprint.

ASEAN Energy Gender Forum: Bridging the Gap for a More Inclusive Transition

2Held at the Intercontinental Hotel Kuala Lumpur with support from the World Bank, the ASEAN Energy Gender Forum: “Road to the Next ASEAN Energy Blueprint in Gender Perspective” convened policymakers and stakeholders to mainstream gender considerations in ASEAN’s energy transition strategies.

With women representing only 8% of the workforce in ASEAN’s energy sector, and just 20% in Malaysia despite women comprising over 53% of STEM graduates, the forum highlighted the urgent need for inclusive approaches to workforce development, leadership, and policymaking.

Speakers across two panels shared national strategies to integrate gender inclusivity, social equity, and economic fairness while balancing energy security and sustainability. They also discussed opportunities to enhance female leadership, introduce women-focused scholarships and mentorships, and foster cross-sectoral collaboration between energy, climate, labour, and education ministries.

“Energy transition must leave no one behind. Every woman, every girl, deserves equal access to opportunity, leadership and benefit in the region’s low carbon future,” said Puan Mareena Mahpudz, Alternate Senior Official on Energy (SOE) Leader of Malaysia and Deputy Secretary-General at PETRA.

“Women are not just beneficiaries of the energy transition, they are key drivers for it,” added Dato’ Ir. Ts. Razib Dawood, Executive Director of the ASEAN Centre for Energy.

Photo 1. (Left to right) Aldilla Rakhiemah, Project Manager of ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project (ACCEPT) Phase II, Puan Mareena Mahpudz, Alternate Senior Official on Energy Leader Malaysia and Deputy Secretary-General of Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), and Dr Zulfikar Yurnaidi, Manager of Energy Modelling and Policy Planning, ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE).

Regional Policy Dialogue: Accelerating ASEAN’s Low-Carbon Energy Transition

The momentum continued with the ASEAN Regional Policy Dialogue under the ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project Phase II (ACCEPT II). Also hosted at Intercontinental Hotel Kuala Lumpur, the event brought together approximately 50 representatives from ASEAN Member States (AMS), international institutions, and regional experts to share insights and recommendations for accelerating a low-carbon future.

The dialogue focused on the new APAEC theme: “Advancing Regional Cooperation in Ensuring Energy Security and Accelerating Decarbonisation for a Just and Inclusive Energy Transition.” It addressed policy barriers, investment strategies, and governance needs to ensure that clean energy is accessible, affordable, and equitable.

Three panel discussions were held:

Panel 1: “Regional Progress on Low-Carbon Energy Systems in ASEAN” emphasised the need for regional policy alignment, innovative finance such as blended mechanisms, and placing justice and inclusivity at the core of energy planning.
Panel 2: “Defining Just and Inclusive Energy Transition in ASEAN” explored equitable access, the role of CSOs and international support, and energy financing plans.
Panel 3: “Policymaking for ASEAN Energy Transition – Finance, Technology, and Governance” called for improved infrastructure, investment-enabling policies, and stronger regional market cooperation.

Participants included panellists from the ASEAN Secretariat, Lao PDR, IGES, Indonesia’s National Energy Council, SEforALL, the Philippines DOE, Myanmar’s Ministry of Energy, Cambodia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy, Singapore’s National Climate Change Secretariat, Oxfam, PwC, and Tenaga Nasional Berhad.

“Today’s policy dialogue reaffirms that energy policy cannot be pursued in isolation from climate goals or social equity,” said Puan Mareena Mahpudz. “As the chair of ASEAN this year, Malaysia is committed to advancing growth that is not only dynamic, but also sustainable and environmentally conscious.”

“Transitioning to a low carbon energy system does not only mean transitioning away from fossil fuels. It must also be just and inclusive,” said Dato’ Ir. Ts. Razib Dawood. “This dialogue is key to aligning our region’s energy goals with climate commitments.”

Driving the ASEAN Energy Agenda Forward

Both forums mark milestones for the region: the first ASEAN regional energy-gender-climate meeting and a timely regional policy dialogue just ahead of the next APAEC planning phase. As Malaysia assumes the ASEAN Chair in 2025, it continues to demonstrate regional leadership in shaping inclusive and sustainable energy futures.

Moving forward, the ASEAN Centre for Energy and PETRA Malaysia will continue working closely with ASEAN Member States and partners to ensure gender equity, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability are embedded in the energy transition at every level.