Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary and Philippine Senior Official on Energy Felix William B. Fuentebella, in his capacity as Chair of the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Energy (SOME), convened the 44th SOME and its Associated Meetings from 15 to 18 June 2026, bringing together ASEAN energy leaders, dialogue partners, and regional institutions to advance practical measures that will strengthen the region’s energy security, resilience, and long-term sustainability.
The meetings served as a key platform for ASEAN Member States to assess progress on regional energy priorities and reinforce cooperation amid evolving global developments, rising energy demand, and external supply risks.
Senior energy officials reaffirmed ASEAN’s shared commitment to ensuring reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy for the region while emphasizing the need to enhance preparedness, diversify energy sources, strengthen regional interconnection, and accelerate the implementation of initiatives that support long-term energy resilience.
“As ASEAN’s demand for energy continues to grow and external risks evolve, we must work together to strengthen resilience, diversify supply, accelerate interconnection, and deepen partnerships that will secure our common energy future,” Undersecretary Fuentebella said.
Among the key areas discussed were the continued advancement of the Enhanced ASEAN Power Grid and the implementation of the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Petroleum Security, both of which are central to strengthening regional energy integration, improving emergency preparedness, and enhancing collective energy security.
The meetings also reviewed progress across ASEAN’s energy cooperation agenda, with Member States underscoring the importance of translating regional commitments into concrete actions through timely implementation of domestic and regional initiatives.
As ASEAN Chair for Energy Cooperation in 2026, the Philippines reported that all eight of its Energy Sector Annual Priorities, as well as its Priority Economic Deliverable for the energy sector, remain on track for implementation.
Undersecretary Fuentebella emphasized that stronger regional cooperation remains essential to ensuring that ASEAN’s energy transition advances in a manner that supports economic growth, energy affordability, and supply security.
“Energy security remains a fundamental pillar of ASEAN’s economic resilience and competitiveness. Our collective efforts must continue to focus on practical, implementation-oriented cooperation that delivers tangible benefits to our peoples and economies,” he added. The Philippines remains firmly committed to ensuring that ASEAN energy cooperation delivers concrete and meaningful outcomes.
Under the Philippine Chairship, ASEAN will continue to pursue practical and mutually beneficial initiatives that enhance energy security, support economic resilience, and advance a secure, accessible, affordable, and sustainable energy future for the region, culminating in the 44th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting to be held in Manila in October 2026.
