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Jakarta, 10 June 2024 – The signature of a grant agreement between the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) marked the launch of PEEB ASEAN, a regional initiative of the Partnership for Energy Efficiency in Buildings. The event took place on 10 June 2024 at ASEAN Headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia witnessed by H.E. Dato’ Astanah Abdul Aziz, Deputy Secretary-General (DSG) of ASEAN for Political-Security Community and H.E. Fabien Penone, Ambassador of France to Indonesia, Timor-Leste and ASEAN. The signature marks a significant partnership between ACE and AFD, as well as an important commitment from implementers to sustainable development and climate action within the ASEAN region. It also represents a significant step towards PEEB’s mission of fostering a sustainable transformation in buildings.

PEEB ASEAN will apply its strategic approach to support the transition of the buildings sector in the region. Combining project finance and policy advice, it will target energy and environmental performance, resilience to the effects of climate change, enhanced energy efficiency, and reduced energy consumption in the building sector, in line with AFD’s energy transition strategy. The initiative is expected to contribute both to ASEAN’s energy efficiency goal of a 32% reduction in energy intensity by 2025, and to global climate goals, making the region an active promoter of a more sustainable energy future.

From left to right: Jean-Pierre Marcelli, Southeast Asia Regional Director of Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and Dr. Nuki Agya Utama, Executive Director of ASEAN Centre for Energy. Credit: ASEAN Secretariat

Thomas Melonio, Chief Economist and Executive Director of Agence Française de Développement (AFD). Credit: ASEAN Secretariat

H.E. Fabien Penone, Ambassador of France to ASEAN, welcomed the signing of the grant agreement, underlining that “the launch of the PEEB ASEAN Initiative constitutes a major step in the implementation of the ASEAN-France Development partnership. It is a testimony of the fruitful and mutually beneficial cooperation between France and ASEAN, which are strongly committed to advancing a sustainable development agenda in line with the Paris Agreement while promoting inclusive growth and prosperity”.

Dr. Nuki Agya Utama, Executive Director of ASEAN Centre for Energy, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "We are immensely grateful for the support from AFD. This grant is not just a fund; it is a catalyst that will enable us to advance the promotion of high energy and environmental performance standards in the building sector by strengthening national and regional frameworks and policies through capacity building of ASEAN Member States and stakeholders. This includes support for the financing of energy-efficient building projects in ASEAN Member States. Through PEEB ASEAN, we aim to set a benchmark for energy efficiency that could serve as an aspirational model for similar initiatives globally."

Jean-Pierre Marcelli, Southeast Asia Regional Director of Agence Française de Développement (AFD), also highlighted the initiative's importance: "Investing in building energy efficiency in ASEAN is not only an environmental necessity but also an economic opportunity. By reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions, we are laying the foundation for sustainable and resilient growth in the region. PEEB ASEAN exemplifies our commitment to supporting ASEAN countries in their transition to greener and more energy-efficient building practices."

Anna Zinecker, Acting Head of PEEB Secretariat, “With today’s signature, we are excited to advance our mission of promoting sustainable building practices in the rapidly growing ASEAN region. Decarbonizing the building sector and enhancing resilience to climate impacts are crucial as urbanization accelerates and climate challenges intensify. PEEB's successful combination of project finance and policy support will help partner countries to scale up and speed the transformation of the buildings sector. This initiative is a key step in PEEB and ASEAN's commitment not only to the ASEAN energy and energy efficiency goals, but also to global climate targets. Besides reducing emissions, improving energy efficiency and building will also enhance the quality of life and living conditions for communities across the region."

Credit: ASEAN Secretariat

The 4-year grant agreement is a testament to the flexibility of PEEB’s implementation approach, which will enable implementers ACE and AFD to pursue the aligned objectives of environmental resilience and sustainable growth. Through this initiative, significant strides are expected in the ASEAN region, exemplifying a model of international cooperation and strategic partnership.

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About ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE)

Established on 1 January 1999, the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) is an intergovernmental organisation within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) structure that represents the 10 ASEAN Member States’ (AMS) interests in the energy sector. ACE supports the implementation of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC), a blueprint for ASEAN energy sector. The Centre is guided by a Governing Council composed of Senior Officials on Energy from each AMS and a representative from the ASEAN Secretariat as an ex-officio member.

The three key roles of ACE:

• As a catalyst to unify and strengthen ASEAN energy cooperation and integration by implementing relevant capacity building programmes and projects to assist the AMS develop their energy sector.
• As the ASEAN energy data centre and knowledge hub to provide a knowledge repository for the AMS. 
• As an ASEAN energy think tank to assist the AMS by identifying and surfacing innovative solutions for ASEAN’s energy challenges on policies, legal & regulatory frameworks and technologies.

Keeping the region's improvement, sustainable and harmless to the ecosystem is a fundamental concern of the ASEAN energy sector. Hosted by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of Indonesia, ACE’s office is located in Jakarta, Indonesia. For more information on ACE website: aseanenergy.org

For further information, please contact:

Rinda Rufaidah, Communications Specialist of ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE): rinda.rufaidah@aseanenergy.org, +6287809140902

About Française de Développement (AFD)

The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) Group funds, supports and accelerates the transition to a fairer and more sustainable world. Focusing on climate, biodiversity, peace, education, urban development, health and governance, our teams carry out more than 4,200 projects in France’s overseas departments and territories and another 150 countries. In this way, we contribute to the commitment of France and French people to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
For more information on AFD, please visit the website: https://www.afd.fr/en

About Partnership for Energy Efficiency in Buildings (PEEB)

The Partnership for Energy Efficiency in Buildings (PEEB) is transforming the buildings and construction sector through financing, policy support and capacity building with the vision to achieve a low-emissions and a climate-resilient built environment. PEEB was initiated in 2016, at COP22 by Germany and France and it is catalysed by the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC). PEEB taps into the expertise of its implementing agencies : Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and Agence de l’Environnement et de la Maîtrise de l’Energie (ADEME).

For more information, please visit the website or contact info@peeb.build.