The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating the region’s transition toward carbon neutrality and sustainable development by 2030, as member states seek to strengthen ASEAN’s position as a leading destination for clean-energy investment and resilient economic growth.
In a chair’s statement released on Saturday, May 9, ASEAN leaders welcomed progress in implementing the ASEAN Regional Investment Action Plan 2025-2030, which seeks to attract foreign investment into green-transition industries and post-pandemic recovery sectors across the region.
The plan covers industries including carbon capture and storage, biofuels, medical devices, solar photovoltaic equipment, veterinary healthcare, and green and sustainable building materials, reflecting ASEAN’s broader push to build more sustainable regional supply chains and reduce dependence on carbon-intensive industries.
“We noted that this will help position ASEAN as a single investment destination for sustainable investment, while accelerating the region’s green transition and inclusive economic growth,” the ASEAN chair said.
The regional bloc also reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation 2026-2030, aimed at strengthening energy security and resilience through a more diversified and sustainable energy mix.
The strategy calls for expanded adoption of renewable and emerging technologies, improved energy efficiency, and deeper regional cooperation in areas such as petroleum security; smart-grid digitalization; and carbon capture, utilization, and storage.
ASEAN leaders said stronger regional energy integration would be critical in helping member states manage rising electricity demand, climate-related risks, and energy price volatility while supporting long-term economic competitiveness.
“We welcomed the new aspirational 2030 targets of a 40% reduction in energy intensity (from 2005 levels), a 30% renewable energy share in Total Primary Energy Supply, and a 45% renewable share in installed power capacity, underscoring ASEAN’s collective resolve to build a more sustainable, competitive regional energy system,” the statement read.
ASEAN leaders also expressed support for the ASEAN Strategy for Carbon Neutrality Work Plan, which is expected to operationalize the bloc’s decarbonization agenda through coordinated regional action and clearer policy priorities.
The group said the initiative could help strengthen ASEAN’s position as “an attractive and competitive destination for green investments to support an inclusive climate transition,” while advancing resilient long-term economic growth.
As part of its broader sustainability agenda, ASEAN is also advancing efforts to finalize the Roadmap of the ASEAN Blue Economy Implementation Plan 2026-2030, which aims to maximize the economic potential of the region’s marine, ocean, sea, and freshwater resources.
“We acknowledged the regional commitment to harness the potential of our marine, ocean, seas, and freshwater resources through ongoing efforts to finalize the Roadmap of the ASEAN Blue Economy Implementation Plan 2026–2030,” the ASEAN chair said.
ASEAN said the roadmap would guide practical and region-specific initiatives to strengthen the bloc’s physical, financial, human, social, and natural capital tied to the blue economy, including fisheries, marine biodiversity conservation, sustainable tourism, and coastal livelihoods.
Leaders also welcomed the anticipated outcomes of the ASEAN Blue Carbon and Finance Profiling project, which seeks to map blue carbon assets and identify sustainable investment opportunities across the region.
The Philippines, led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., assumed the ASEAN chairmanship for 2026 under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together,” with Manila prioritizing regional unity, sustainability, energy and food security, digital transformation, and inclusive economic growth amid rising geopolitical tensions and global uncertainty.
The 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings were held in Cebu from May 6 to 8, with the Philippines adopting a more calibrated approach to hosting by scaling back non-essential activities as global supply pressures tied to tensions in the Middle East continued to weigh on costs. Manila is also set to host the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings later this year as part of its yearlong chairmanship of the regional bloc.
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