1. BACKGROUND
The Energy Working Group (EWG) is one of APEC’s Working Groups established in 1990 to develop a program of energy cooperation in the APEC region.
2. OBJECTIVE
Energy is integral to sustainable economic development and essential to the economic growth of the APEC region. Efficient, affordable, reliable and environmentally sustainable energy supply and use underpins economic development, productivity improvement, and enhancement of living standards.
The EWG serves as a forum for member economies to facilitate energy trade and investment and to strengthen the region's energy security to contribute to economic growth, social well-being, and sustainability in the region.
3. PRINCIPLES OF COOPERATION
The EWG’s activities accord with the Seoul and Bogor Declarations, the Osaka Action Agenda, the Manila Action Plan, the APEC Energy Vision Post 2020, the Putrajaya Vision 2040, the Aotearoa Plan of Action, APEC Leaders’ Declarations, APEC Ministerial Statements, and directions from APEC Energy Ministers.
The EWG responds to the directions of APEC Leaders and Ministers and ensures that its projects adhere to APEC priorities. APEC Energy Ministers normally meet every two years and provide the EWG with specific policy guidance for future activities. The EWG also receives guidance from APEC SOM.
The activities of the EWG are based on the principles of mutual respect and equality, mutual benefit and assistance, constructive and genuine partnership and consensus building.
EWG activities aim to promote the three E’s (economic growth, energy security and environmental sustainability) and, more broadly, the contribution of energy to the economic, social and environmental enhancement of the APEC community.
4. STRUCTURE OF THE EWG
The EWG work program is delivered through:
- Four Expert Groups: Expert Group on Energy Data and Analysis (EGEDA);
Expert Group on Clean Fossil Energy (EGCFE);
Expert Group on Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EGEEC); and
Expert Group on New & Renewable Energy Technologies (EGNRET) - One Task Force:
Energy Resiliency Task Force (ER-TF) - Two Research Centers
Asia-Pacific Energy Research Centre (APERC); and
APEC Sustainable Energy Center (APSEC) - EWG projects and activities.
5. SCOPE OF EWG ACTIVITY
The EWG contributes to the facilitation of energy trade and investment and regional energy security through:
- considering regional energy policy implications and responding to wide-reaching energy related issues;
- open discussion of member economies energy policies and planning priorities, including consideration and pursuit of energy policies and technologies that reduce or remove market distortions; diversify the energy mix; mitigate the adverse environmental impacts of energy production and use; decrease inefficient consumption and production; and enhance energy security within the APEC region;
- information exchange, including energy statistics and supply/demand outlook data, and the dissemination of that information to the wider APEC region;
- cooperative activities, including projects, conferences, seminars, workshops, dialogues, training programs, and engagement with other APEC and international energy fora, as relevant.
- APEC policy recommendations to energy-related goals and commitments affirmed by our economic leaders, such as to reduce aggregate energy intensity by 45 percent by 2035, double renewable energy in the regional energy mix from 2010 levels by 2030, and pursue and encourage efforts to triple renewable energy capacity globally through existing targets and policies as well as demonstrate similar ambition with respect to other zero and low emissions technologies including abatement and removal technologies in line with domestic circumstances by 2030
- Boost APEC Cooperation on sustainable urban development and support community-based low carbon development in the region.
- Work towards improving resiliency of energy infrastructure to natural disasters and climate change.
- Strengthen cross-fora collaboration to promote a sustainable energy system in the region towards global energy transition.
6. Sub-Fund for Energy Efficiency, Low-Carbon and Energy Resiliency Measures
Since 2009 an APEC Sub-Fund for Energy Efficiency, Low-Carbon and Energy Resiliency Measures has been maintained with contributions from the government of Japan. This sub-fund continues to support a wide range of energy-related technical capacity-building projects supporting cooperation between APEC members. The general procedures for applying for APEC project funding are available here.
Last page update: July 2025
Contacts
EWG Lead Shepherd
Research Institute of Economics & Technology (ETRI), CNPC
Program Director
Current Activities
EWG 70
The 70th Energy Working Group (EWG70) meeting was held in Busan, Republic of Korea, from 25 to 26 August 2025, in conjunction with the 15th APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting. Among other matters, EWG members discussed the following:
- Reports from EWG Subsidiary Bodies
The four Expert Groups, one Task Force, and two Centres presented updates on their recent activities. A key highlight was the introduction of the 9th Edition of the APEC Energy Supply and Demand Outlook, scheduled for publication in 2025.
- Notable Energy Developments since EWG69
Seventeen economies reported significant developments since EWG69 in February 2025. These included progress in hydrogen, renewable energy, energy efficiency, legislative and policy reforms, and issues related to energy affordability and security.
- Priorities of the 2026 Host
As the APEC 2026 host economy, China outlined its priorities: advancing inclusive energy development, strengthening energy security, driving technological innovation, and promoting diversified exchanges and integration. China also confirmed plans to host the 16th Energy Ministerial Meeting in 2026.
15th APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting
The 15th APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting took place in Busan, Republic of Korea, on 27–28 August 2025 under the theme “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper.” Following the opening session, ministers engaged in three thematic discussions:
- Electricity Expansion for a Stable Supply
- Strengthening Grid Security and Reliability
- AI-Driven Energy Innovation
After the discussions, Energy Ministers adopted:
See also:
- APEC Energy Ministers Advance Grid Expansion and AI-Driven Innovation: APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting Busan, Republic of Korea, 28 August 2025