Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, in his participation in the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Plus Online Summit, has reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to strengthening regional energy cooperation and accelerating the transition toward clean energy and net zero emissions.

The summit, hosted by Japan via videoconference, brought together leaders from AZEC member countries including the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Timor-Leste, Bangladesh, and Thailand, as well as ministerial representatives from South Korea, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, India, and Sri Lanka. Relevant international organizations, such as the International Energy Agency and the Asian Development Bank, also took part.

The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of regional cooperation amid global energy volatility and ongoing geopolitical tensions from the Middle East conflict, noting that international connectivity and maritime security remain critical to global energy and food security.

He pointed out that while countries might adopt similar policy directions, differences in capacity and constraints make international cooperation essential. ASEAN mechanisms will continue to play a key role in strengthening collaboration with Japan, particularly in maintaining supply chain stability and enhancing resilience.

In the short term, Thailand has closely managed domestic fuel supplies to mitigate price volatility, while implementing targeted support measures to ease the cost-of-living burden for the people and ensure sufficient energy to meet domestic demand at affordable prices.

In the long term, the Prime Minister was of the view that the current crisis provides an opportunity to accelerate the energy transition. Thailand is advancing clean energy initiatives, including expanding biofuels, increasing solar power capacity, and strengthening regional renewable energy supply chains, with the goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Thailand also welcomed Japan’s leadership under the AZEC framework and its new initiatives including low-interest financing for energy supplies and essential goods, as well as plans to upgrade cooperation to “AZEC 2.0” in order to enhance long-term energy resilience among member countries.