Photo 1. Group photo all participants, ASEAN SPARKS Startups, and ASEAN Member State representatives during the forum at the Hermitage Hotel, Jakarta, 7 May 2026.
Jakarta, 12 May 2026 – The ASEAN Cleantech Forum, hosted by the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) with support from the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) and in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), spotlights clean energy and climate technology in the region to accelerate innovation, strengthen partnerships, and scale solutions to support ASEAN’s low-carbon and inclusive energy transition. 82 participants comprising policymakers, clean technology startups, investors, industry representatives, and development partners were brough together to discuss the advancement of clean energy innovation and entrepreneurship across ASEAN.
Based on the 8th ASEAN Energy Outlook, an estimated USD 150 billion in annual investment is required to meet ASEAN Member States’ (AMS) energy transition goals. Under ASEAN’s regional energy blueprint, the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2026-2030, ASEAN is also targeting a 40% reduction in energy intensity by 2030, alongside achieving a 30% renewable energy share in Total Primary Energy Supply (TPES) and 45% in installed power capacity. At the same time, clean technology innovators across the region continue to face structural challenges, including limited financing access, fragmented regulations, market barriers, and gaps in skills and ecosystem support.
The forum was held to overcome these challenges by connecting clean energy and climate technology innovators from ASEAN with regional and global stakeholders to strengthen business opportunities and innovation development through knowledge sharing and collaboration. It also served as a platform for structured dialogue among policymakers, ecosystem builders, and startup founders to identify key challenges and develop actionable recommendations for strengthening ASEAN’s clean technology innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
In addition, the forum promoted an inclusive and gender-responsive approach by encouraging meaningful participation from diverse stakeholders in shaping policies and regulatory frameworks that support equitable access and reduce systemic barriers across the region.
Photo 2. Panel Discussion on From Capital to Impact: How Funders Can Better Serve ASEAN's Diverse Clean Tech Innovators, moderated by Irma Ramadan, Senior Officer of Energy Efficiency & Conservation (EE&C), ACE
The forum was organised into three main sessions covering policy, innovation, and global collaboration to strengthen ASEAN’s clean technology ecosystem. Session I focused on policy insights and regional cooperation, featuring presentations on APAEC’s role in advancing clean energy entrepreneurship and findings from ACE’s analysis on fostering the cleantech innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in ASEAN. The session also included a panel discussion on building inclusive and gender-responsive policies, bringing together representatives from innovation centres, financial institutions, youth organisations, and clean technology startups to discuss barriers and opportunities within the sector.
Session II highlighted clean energy and climate technology innovations from ASEAN SPARKS startups, with a particular focus on financing support from the startups. The session featured presentations from Sreypouv Tan from Agro Agape, Hai Ho from Alterno, Nguyet Vien Le from CAS Energy, Worapoj Chosen from Chosen Digital, Andi Rosita from GAWIREA, Joseph Valdez from Klimatech, Tania Callista from Pristinz, and Erlambang Ajidarma from Qarbotech, covering technological solutions, market growth plans, and contributions towards the clean energy transition.
The presentations showed how startups and young entrepreneurs are playing a growing role in advancing ASEAN’s cleantech ecosystem through innovative and community-focused initiatives. Participants also actively exchanged views on the importance of improving access to financing, mentorship, and regional collaboration to help cleantech enterprises across the region grow and remain sustainable in the long run.
Session III, moderated by Dr. Noboru Zama, Project Manager and Industrial Development Expert at UNIDO, brought together a diverse lineup of panellists from the Sweef Institute, Massive Earth Foundation, ERIA, Alterno, CAS Energy, and Qarbotech to discuss the advancement of clean technology innovation in ASEAN. The discussion focused on how ASEAN can learn from global pathways to support CIEE. Panellists exchanged views on the importance of cross-border collaboration, knowledge sharing, and adapting international best practices to local contexts to accelerate the region’s green transition. They also discussed the need to strengthen technology transfer, improve ecosystem coordination, and address regulatory barriers, while recognising the financial, technical, and operational challenges still faced by cleantech ventures across Southeast Asia.
Photo 3. Presentation from ASEAN SPARKS Startups
“ASEAN has a growing responsibility to ensure that the region’s economic growth is supported by clean and sustainable energy solutions. With ASEAN committed to reducing energy intensity by 40%, achieving a 30% renewable energy share in total primary energy supply, and reaching 45% renewable installed capacity by 2030 under APAEC 2026–2030, an estimated USD 150 billion in annual investment will be required. The clean energy transition cannot be achieved by governments alone. Startups, investors, policymakers, and international partners all play an important role in strengthening ASEAN’s clean technology ecosystem,” said Norazrin Supadi, Deputy Director of the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Regulatory Section at the Energy Commission Malaysia.
“Strengthening ASEAN’s Cleantech Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem (CIEE) is essential to support the region’s transition towards a resilient and low-carbon future. The progress shown by ASEAN SPARKS startups through incubation and mentoring programmes, including their recent participation at the SusHi Tech exhibition in Tokyo, demonstrates the importance of connecting innovators with investors and policymakers to accelerate regional clean energy action.” said Dato' Ir. Ts. Razib Dawood, Executive Director of ACE.
Concluding with a shared recognition of the importance of stronger regional collaboration, inclusive policies, and sustained investment, the forum reaffirmed the critical role of innovation and entrepreneurship in accelerating ASEAN’s clean energy transition. Through discussions, startup showcases, and cross-sector engagement, participants highlighted the need for collective action to support a more resilient, inclusive, and low-carbon future for the region.
This forum was held as part of the ASEAN SPARKS Programme. ASEAN SPARKS seeks to address climate and energy pressures by accelerating the growth of climate tech enterprises. The programme empowers early-stage startups with the tools, expertise, and networks needed to scale, while fostering a gender-inclusive environment that drives impactful clean energy solutions across the region. The programme is implemented by the ASEAN Centre of Energy (ACE) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), supported by Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) of Japan. To learn more about the programme, click here.
