Energy Access Forum

Date	23 Apr 2026, 11:09 - 11:09 hrs

View the Energy Access Forum report here

ENERGY ACCESS FORUM – POWERING DEVELOPMENT IN THE ASIA PACIFIC

The Energy Market Authority (EMA) of Singapore and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) will be jointly organising an Energy Access Forum - Powering Development in the Asia Pacific.

The one-day event will look at the challenge of enhancing energy access in the Asia Pacific region and potential opportunities for collaboration amongst the countries and international organisations. The Forum will feature discussions on enabling policies, technological advancements and innovative business models relating to energy access.

09:30 - 09:40 hrs Opening Remarks

S. Iswaran

Minister, Trade and Industry (Industry) Singapore

09:40 - 10:00 hrs Keynote Address

Dr Shamshad Akhtar

Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)

10:00 - 11:15 hrs Plenary Session: Energy Access – Challenges and Opportunities

Overview of the current state of global energy access
SDG 7: Ensuring universal access to affordable electricity
Insights on key challenges faced by Asia Pacific countries and opportunities for collaboration
The role of intergovernmental bodies (G20, APEC etc.) and international organisations

Speakers:

H.E. Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili

Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water, Malaysia

Hon. Simon Bridges

Minister of Energy and Resources, New Zealand

Dr Fatih Birol

Executive Director, International Energy Agency (IEA)

Shri Gireesh B. Pradhan

Chairperson, Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), India

Wong Kim Yin

Group Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Power Ltd

Moderator:

Rachel Kyte

CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All)

11:30 - 12:30 hrs Panel 1: Energy Access in ASEAN

US-ASEAN Energy Connect initiative
Energy access situation in ASEAN
The role of regional integration in enhancing energy access
The role of capacity building and technical assistance

Speakers:

H.E. Dr. Ith Praing

Secretary of State, Ministry of Mines and Energy, Cambodia

Peter du Pont

Senior Climate Change Advisor, USAID Asia

Hiroyuki Hayashi

Senior Advisor to the Director General (Energy), Industrial Development and Public Policy Department, JICA

Didar Islam

Founder, Solaric Global

David Hutagalung

Country Director, GE Power Indonesia

Moderator:

Dr Sanjayan Velautham

Executive Director, ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE)

This panel is part of the US-ASEAN Energy Connect Initiative.

energycon

14:00 - 15:00 hrs Panel 2: Energy Access in Focus – Technology and Investments

Developing business models and financial instruments to support energy access investments
Fostering an enabling policy environment for public-private partnerships
Development of new technologies and innovations to improve access to electricity and clean cooking, especially in remote areas