The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) organized the 24th ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF-24) from September 25 to 27, 2024, at the Laos National Convention Center, under the coordination of the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, as part of Laos’ chairmanship of ASEAN.
This event was held in conjunction with the 42nd ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM-42), providing a platform for knowledge exchange between government officials, academics, industry leaders, investors, and energy experts.
The Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE) was represented by Gloria Alvarenga, Director of Energy Integration, Access, and Security.
Alvarenga emphasized that Latin America and the Caribbean have been working with international partners and organizations to develop the energy sector. “Cooperation between institutions must stem from willingness and trust, allowing consensus to be reached and activities to be undertaken that everyone wishes to develop. In this way, a project could emerge that seeks solutions adaptable to the realities of different countries, fostering the pursuit of joint financing,” Alvarenga highlighted.
Additionally, Gloria Alvarenga participated in the 2nd Inter-Regional Energy Forum, where she emphasized that energy integration is key to sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean. Despite 97% of the population in Latin America having access to electricity, 16 million people still lack this service, and 83 million continue to use biomass for cooking. “We must adapt to new technologies to offer more efficient and cleaner energy,” Alvarenga noted, stressing international cooperation as a crucial factor in continuing progress in the energy transition. She also highlighted the importance of implementing a regional energy policy.
Alvarenga took the opportunity to invite participation in OLADE’s Energy Week in October, a key event to address the challenges of the energy transition and strengthen cooperation among countries.
This forum provided a favorable space to share regional experiences and initiatives, as well as to influence the global energy agenda, presenting priorities such as improving energy security, promoting renewable energy, and advancing regional energy connectivity. It also allowed leaders to engage in discussions on sustainable energy solutions, essential for the economic and environmental resilience of Asia.
