The 28th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM 28) marks the close coordination of ASEAN energy in implementing targets to form an ASEAN economic community, said Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang.

Minister Hoang made the statement as AMEM 28 opened in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong on July 22.

The results of AMEM 28 will make positive contributions to regional countries’ energy development and promote the integration of ASEAN energy, thus contributing to the ASEAN economic development and connectivity, Hoang added.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung delivered a speech to open AMEM 28, which elected Vietnam as President and Brunei as Vice President.

The ASEAN Secretariat presented a report focusing on the development of the ASEAN electricity network connecting plan, the role and issues of ASEAN energy groups’ interest, necessary activities to cope with climate change and changes in the context of ASEAN economies.

The ministers also heard about a report on ASEAN energy cooperation in 2009 and 2010 with outstanding achievements and new proposals to implement an action plan on ASEAN energy in the 2010-2015 period that focuses on clean coal utilisation technology, effective energy production and preservation, renewable and civil nuclear energy and regional energy plans and policies./.