Asia Must Collaborate for Regional Strength and Green Energy, Says Iqbal
— September 29, 2024
LAHORE (AIA) Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal emphasised the importance of collective efforts among Asian countries to strengthen the region. Speaking at Asia’s Energy Transition Summit as the guest of honour on Sunday, he said energy consumption would play a crucial role in addressing climate change, a significant global issue. “We have suffered greatly due to climate change,” he remarked.
Iqbal noted that Asia, home to 50% of the world’s population, will soon account for more than half of the world’s GDP. He also pointed out that Asia is a major centre for energy consumption, stressing the need for environment-friendly energy projects in Pakistan, including coal-based electricity generation with policies tailored for environmental protection.
“We need innovation in our projects and must consider how to attract investments. It’s crucial to make policy changes that create an investment-friendly environment and facilitate growth in the energy sector,” he added.
The minister called for unity among Asian countries, highlighting that while some are wealthier than others, collective action is necessary for regional progress. “Cooperation is key. If we work together, Asia can emerge stronger. Our goal is to achieve green energy, ensuring affordable, eco-friendly energy for all,” he said.
The three-day summit, hosted by LUMS Energy Institute (LEI) in collaboration with the Pakistan Renewable Energy Coalition (PREC), brought together energy experts, researchers, civil society activists, policymakers, and parliamentarians. The event focused on the need for coordinated efforts across Asia to mobilise financing for renewable energy transition, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and improve energy efficiency.
The summit also sought to align Asia’s energy initiatives with the targets set at COP28, which include tripling renewable energy, doubling energy efficiency, and moving away from fossil fuels. It provided actionable insights and solutions for scaling up renewables and benefiting from the global energy transition.