Photo 1. Group photo of the Panellists for the “Workforce Transformation and Youth Participation in ASEAN’s Just and Inclusive Energy Transition” Parallel Session.
Under the new framework of ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2026-2030, the principle of a just and inclusive energy transition is strongly emphasised. The strategy acknowledges the necessity for an inclusive development, ensuring that energy policies and programmes consider gender equality, youth empowerment, and social equity. On top of that, energy transition will also add significant number of green jobs, ensuring workforce transformation within the energy shift. In supporting this, the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) organised a panel discussion titled “Workforce Transformation and Youth Participation in ASEAN’s Just and Inclusive Energy Transition”. The panel was held on 15 October 2024, in parallel with the 25th ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
To facilitate a meaningful exchange, the ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project (ACCEPT) contributed to the session by moderating the session, with Ms Indira Pradnyaswari, Research Analyst of ACCEPT, leading the discussion. A just and inclusive energy transition requires the creation of decent work opportunities, upskilling existing workers, and empowering the next generation leaders. Moreover, the role of institution and policymakers are also crucial in shaping a comprehensive implementation framework. Noting this, therefore, the panel aims to explore strategies for building an inclusive and qualified workforce to drive ASEAN’s energy transition. Together with Dr Saraswathy Shamini, Senior Lecturer at UNITEN; Amira Bilqis, Co-founder of Youth for Energy Southeast Asia (Y4E-SEA); Syn Leong, Founder of Youth for Energy Transition & Sustainability Network (YES-NET) Petronas; and Vera Upirova, Senior Project Manager at ROSATOM; the panel explored how multistakeholder participation holds a prominent role in the energy transition.
Photo 2. Ms. Indira Pradnyaswari, Research Analyst of the Modelling and Policy Planning (MPP) department at ASEAN Centre for Energy, opened the session as the moderator.
Photo 3. Ts. Dr. Saraswathy Shamini Gunasekaran, Senior Lecturer at the College of Computing & Informatics, Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), emphasised on the importance of advancing education initiatives to support energy transition.
Ms Vera Upirova, Senior Manager at the Project Office on International Education, State Atomic Energy Corporation “Rosatom,” joined virtually and shared Rosatom’s approach to human resource development including capacity building activities, management system, and work trainings. On the academic perspective, Ts. Dr. Saraswathy Shamini Gunasekaran, Senior Lecturer at the College of Computing & Informatics, Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), shared insights on how the university is advancing education and training initiatives to support a just and inclusive energy transition through structured academic curriculum, facilities, and well-supported educational environment. She added that, a curriculum where renewable energy and climate resilience are addressed will be a bold move to improve student’s knowledge, initiatives, and actions toward the transition, thereby boosting their self-esteem to compete in their future career.
Photo 4. Ms. Amira Bilqis (right), Co-founder of Youth for Energy Southeast Asia (Y4E-SEA) and Ms. Syn Leong (left), Founder of the Youth for Energy Transition & Sustainability Network (YES-NET) at PETRONAS shared their insights on youth initiatives to support a just and inclusive energy transition.
From youth perspective, Ms. Amira Bilqis, Co-founder of Youth for Energy Southeast Asia (Y4E-SEA), discussed youth-led efforts to accelerate a fair and inclusive energy transition and the challenges faced by young people in this process. Ms. Syn Leong, Founder of the Youth for Energy Transition & Sustainability Network (YES-NET) at PETRONAS, concluded the discussion by highlighting how PETRONAS, through initiatives such as YES-NET, empowers young professionals with the skills and opportunities to take an active role in driving the energy transition forward.
All four panellists agreed to ensure ASEAN’s energy transition is not just green, but also just and inclusive. By this, the action should be done in a structured way – from government support, funding availability, financing scheme, a robust mentorship and capacity building programmes, and dedicated platforms for the future energy leaders to grow.
Moreover, preparing qualified human resource through academic approach should be considered properly, in terms of Transforming the workforce and empowering youth are not only vital socio-economic objectives but also crucial catalysts for achieving the goals of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2026–2030, themed “Advancing Regional Cooperation in Ensuring Energy Security and Accelerating Decarbonisation for a Just and Inclusive Energy Transition.”
