Asia Zero Emission Community promotes decarbonization efforts in Southeast Asia

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Monday that leaders of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) will agree on a 10-year action plan, aimed at promoting decarbonization efforts in Southeast Asia, at their summit in Laos this week.

Japan is scheduled to chair the second summit of the AZEC, which also involves Australia and most of the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), on the sidelines of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related summits in Laos.

"We will set rules that will promote efforts toward decarbonising Asia and lead to projects that will utilise Japanese technology, for which partner countries have high expectations," Ishiba told a meeting of relevant Cabinet ministers at his office.

The initiative was proposed by Japan when his predecessor Fumio Kishida was in office and is intended to ensure decarbonisation, economic growth and security. The first summit was held in 2023.

The AZEC involves Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.