2025 APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting
Joint Statement on the 2025 APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting
Busan, Republic of Korea
27-28 August, 2025
1. We, the Energy Ministers of Member Economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), convened in Busan, Republic of Korea, on August 27 and 28, 2025, under the theme chosen by the Republic of Korea “Accelerating Sustainable, Affordable, Reliable, Secure and Innovative Energy for a Prosperous Future” and aligned with the APEC 2025 Korea theme “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper.”
2. Noting prior commitments, including the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040, the Aotearoa Plan of Action, the Bangkok Goals on Bio-Circular-Green Economy and the APEC Economic Leaders’ Declarations, we reaffirm the importance of energy security, resilience and access.
3. We recognize that more intensive efforts are needed to develop and deploy technologies for providing access to energy while reflecting basic human needs and to accelerate energy system modernization and innovation through various pathways, taking into account different domestic circumstances and priorities. Through these efforts, we will foster strong, balanced, secure, and sustainable economic growth.
4. We underscore the importance of strengthening cooperation among economies through knowledge sharing and capacity building in areas where appropriate on a voluntary and mutually agreed basis to ensure regional energy security and economic resilience, aligned with the APEC Energy Security Initiative. We highlight the need to broaden access to energy supplies by reinforcing power grids as well as developing and enhancing resilience of other energy infrastructure, including cross-border interconnections such as subsea power cables while respecting the energy security of each economy and to promote the secure adoption of a broad range of technologies in a responsible manner, including digital and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. We recognize that certain minerals, materials, products and technologies are critical inputs for achieving secure energy systems. We also acknowledge that improving energy efficiency and managing the increasing energy demand play crucial roles in strengthening energy security. We note that the APEC Policy Guidance on Hydrogen and its Implementation Plan can play a role in supporting the energy security objectives of interested APEC economies.
5. Recalling the previous APEC Economic Leaders’ Declarations and APEC Joint Ministerial Statements, we recognize the importance of energy connectivity and the contribution of energy-related trade in the Asia Pacific region to enhance energy security and stimulate regional economic growth and development. We encourage member economies to create favorable conditions for energy-related trade and investment, and appreciate efforts by economies supporting a diversified, flexible, and integrated natural gas market in the Asia Pacific region. We acknowledge the important role that natural gas and LNG can play in providing sustainable, secure, affordable, and reliable energy as well as flexibilities in our respective energy systems. To this end, we will collaborate to ensure gas security and affordability, including through ensuring sufficient investment to the value chain, sharing best practices and policy options, and providing capacity building supports.
6. We recognize that addressing the APEC economies’ energy challenges including energy security and accessibility will require the use of available energy sources and technologies together with advanced energy storage, power grid and energy efficiency solutions in line with domestic circumstances and priorities. To tackle energy challenges, we seek to encourage investment, streamline regulations and explore R&D collaboration where appropriate. Through these efforts, we aim to support the sustainable development of balanced, affordable, reliable, secure and innovative energy systems and deliver socio-economic benefits, including job creation and regional economic development while respecting each economy’s domestic circumstances and priorities.
7. We note the rising demand for electricity across the APEC region, particularly driven by increasing electrification of households, commercial buildings, transport and industry and growth of data centers to support the expansion of AI. To meet this demand, we recognize the need to ensure a stable power supply in accordance with each economy’s domestic circumstances and priorities. In this regard, we encourage economies to diversify their power sources and technologies while supporting necessary investment, fostering technological innovation and enabling efficient market operation to enhance power system flexibility, resilience and stability.
8. We note the role of market-based instruments, such as power market design and energy attribute certificates. These instruments can accelerate energy deployment, stimulate cross-border power trade, and enhance regional energy affordability. We encourage APEC economies to strengthen policy dialogue and cooperation on market-based instruments.
9. We recognize the vital importance of modernizing and expanding electricity infrastructure such as transmission capacity and power grids to strengthen energy security across APEC economies. We also recognize that enhancing grid infrastructure, including energy storage systems, microgrids, smart distribution networks and subsea power cables, and deepening regional interconnectivity can foster more efficient and reliable grids. As part of these efforts, we will promote investments in grid infrastructure, cybersecurity and grid management technologies through knowledge sharing with the support of both public and private stakeholders.
10. We emphasize the innovative potential of AI in energy systems. Recognizing that AI for energy such as predictive analytics, demand management and energy optimization can enhance energy systems by improving efficiency, security and reliability, we encourage the responsible adoption of AI across the energy sector. We also note that AI is accelerating energy innovation across the sector with multiple promising applications, such as in advanced materials discovery and modeling, the development of virtual power plants and AI-based optimization of energy dispatching. Given the increased energy demand as a result of enhanced use of AI, energy efficiency measures are also needed to better manage the energy and resource use of data centers. In this regard, we recognize that as digital transformation advances, ensuring safety, security, accessibility, trustworthiness and reliability are key to mitigating risks and realizing the benefits of digitalization for all.
11. Recognizing the need for comprehensive resilience approaches to mitigate risks to the energy sector, we encourage efforts to strengthen and enhance resilience in energy planning and accelerate the deployment of innovative energy technologies, in line with each economy’s domestic circumstances and priorities. This approach aims to foster strong, balanced, secure, and sustainable economic growth, while ensuring energy resilience.
12. We note the discussions in the EWG on significant progress and ongoing work towards the APEC’s collective energy goals of doubling the share of renewable energy in the regional energy mix from 2010 levels by 2030 and reducing energy intensity by 45 percent from 2005 by 2035.
13. Recognizing existing Roadmaps, Principles, and Initiatives, we acknowledge that access to energy is of critical importance in promoting participation in the formal economy by all economic actors. In this regard, we welcome further dialogues and collaborative efforts from APEC economies to advance engagement and participation in the sector, including to facilitate energy access for all.
14. We express our appreciation to the Energy Working Group (EWG), and its subsidiary bodies, including two research bodies, four expert groups and one task force, for their contributions.
15. We express our gratitude to the Republic of Korea for serving as host to our 15th Energy Ministerial Meeting, and we look forward to our next Ministerial Meeting in the People’s Republic of China.