Online Consultation Workshop on the Development of the ASEAN Biofuel Cooperation Framework under the SPICES Project

(ASEAN Center for Energy) On 1 April 2026, the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), in collaboration with the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA). held the Online Consultation Workshop on the Development of the ASEAN Biofuel Cooperation Framework under the Sustainable Pathways for Integrated Comprehensive Biofuel Emission Inventories & Supply Chains (SPICES) Project.

Conducted virtually, the workshop served as an early consultation platform to validate the emerging direction of the ASEAN Biofuel Cooperation Framework. The workshop focused on linking the ASEAN biofuel roadmap with the development of the regional cooperation framework, gathering feedback on biofuel standards and sustainability considerations, and seeking inputs on institutional stakeholder mapping and governance.

The session opened with an overview of the SPICES Project and its linkages across work packages, followed by a discussion on the biofuels landscape and policy developments in ASEAN, including the rationale for stronger regional cooperation in line with the ASEAN Renewable Energy Long-term Roadmap and ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2026–2030. The workshop also featured a session on fuel and sustainability standards for biofuel in ASEAN, which highlighted current gaps, key limitations, and possible pathways toward greater harmonisation.

One of the key highlights of the workshop was the country intervention session, where Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines shared national perspectives on advancing regional biofuel harmonisation. Representing Indonesia, Ir Edi Wibowo, Director of Bioenergy at the Directorate General of New, Renewable Energy, and Energy Conservation, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, highlighted the strategic role of biofuel in strengthening energy independence, while stressing the importance of aligning sustainability criteria with international standards and fostering regional collaboration to support wider biofuel development.

From Malaysia, Khairunnisa Hamdan, Senior Assistant Secretary at the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities, also emphasised the importance of aligning sustainability standards with international benchmarks. Malaysia highlighted that stronger regional cooperation could support greater alignment across ASEAN and help build more credible and recognised biofuel production, while also addressing challenges related to cost, pricing, and certification recognition.

Meanwhile, Ruby B. De Guzman, Director III of the Renewable Energy Management Bureau, Department of Energy of the Philippines, broadened the discussion by highlighting feedstock and supply chain challenges. The Philippines also shared its interest in stronger ASEAN cooperation through harmonised standards and certification, coordinated regional supply mechanisms, joint research and development, investment platforms, capacity building, and more integrated regional biofuel-bioenergy planning.

Overall, the workshop reflected a shared interest among ASEAN Member States (AMS) in strengthening regional cooperation on biofuel development, particularly in relation to sustainability standards, certification credibility, and institutional coordination. The inputs gathered from the consultation will help inform the next stage of the SPICES Project, including the further development of pathways toward harmonisation and the final design of the ASEAN Biofuel Cooperation Framework. READ MORE