Korea set to launch nuclear cooperation project with Asean, says senior official
KUCHING : Korea is set to launch a nuclear cooperation project with Asean to systematically support the region's readiness to introduce nuclear power plants.
Speaking at the 43rd Asean Senior Officials' Meeting on Energy, Korea's trade, industry and energy first secretary Heegang Kim said the project would include capacity-building training, policy workshops, and joint research endeavours, with further details to be announced at a later date.
'This project aims to systematically support Asean member states' readiness to introduce nuclear power plants.
'This cooperation will transcend mere technology and institutional transfers. It will lay a solid foundation for Asean and Korea to develop a people-centred and sustainable energy partnership,' he said.
Another new initiative Kim announced during his opening remarks was the transfer of the Korean electrical safety management system to Asean member states from the Korea Electrical Safety Corporation.
'This initiative aims to revamp Asean's electrical safety frameworks and bolster technical expertise through various cooperative projects,' he said.
Since December 1997, Korea, China, and Japan have cooperated with Asean member states under the Asean Plus Three framework to promote comprehensive collaboration in areas such as energy, security, trade and investment, health, and finance.
Yoshiomi Yoshino.
Japan's director of international affairs Yoshiomi Yoshino, also present at the event today, said it was necessary to leverage all available technologies and energy sources, including energy efficiency, hydrogen and ammonia, nuclear power, natural gas, as well as carbon capture, utilisation and storage, to successfully implement energy transition initiatives.
'We will also continue to participate in the Asia Energy Transition Initiative and Cleaner Energy Future Initiative for Asean to formulate tangible cooperation projects introducing various decarbonisation technologies, in line with each country's national circumstances,' he said.
AdChoices
ADVERTISING
Li Yuan, China's deputy division director of the international cooperation department, also reaffirmed the nation's commitment to continued collaboration with the region under the Asean Plus Three framework, with a focus on hydropower, energy storage, nuclear and emerging energy technologies, green certificates, and green financing.
Li Yuan.
'We have seen a very fruitful outcome and deliverables under the framework of 10 plus three.
'We would like to continue playing an active role in the 10 plus three mechanisms for pragmatic cooperation on clean energy, so that we can contribute together to sustainable development and energy transition for our region.'
Mad Zaidi Mohd Karli .
Energy transition and water transformation ministry secretary-general Mad Zaidi Mohd Karli welcomed the collaboration between Asean countries and the East Asia giants, saying it provided a critical platform to bring together diverse perspectives, resources, and experiences.
'Within this context, our region's choices and cooperation will play a decisive role in the pace and direction of the energy transition.
'It is through such collective leadership that we can turn our shared vision into tangible outcomes for our countries, our communities, and our future generations,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Citing QR codes for donations, Sarawak deputy minister urges religious houses to embrace tech in worship
MIRI, July 6 — The rapid development of the digital world today should be embraced positively, not only for daily needs but also in religious practices and the management of places of worship, said Deputy Digital Minister Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong. Ugak said the public can utilise today's digital technologies to manage their places of worship more systematically, while also strengthening community bonds through healthy communication among themselves and with followers of other religions. 'Technology can be used to connect everyone, regardless of religious background. I believe that digital technology is a tool that can be used for good, and it should be harnessed to benefit the wider community, including the Christian community. 'For example, using kiosks to register church attendance or QR codes for donations to churches or relevant religious activities,' he said during a charity dinner held to raise funds in conjunction with the 37th anniversary celebration of the Miri City Iban Methodist Church last night. Ugak added that Sarawak continues to set a positive example for the rest of the country when in terms of racial and religious harmony. 'The diversity of ethnicities and beliefs in this state is not only respected but also celebrated in daily life. This is the uniqueness of Sarawak that we must preserve and pass on to future generations. 'I would also like to express my appreciation to the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) Sarawak, which continues to play a vital role in supporting and empowering non-Muslim religious institutions in the state,' he said. Ugak added that with the various initiatives and assistance provided, Unifor demonstrates the Sarawak government's commitment to ensuring that all houses of worship, including the Miri City Iban Methodist Church, receive the necessary support to function effectively as centres of worship and welfare. He also reaffirmed the government's commitment to supporting and respecting freedom of religion, including the right of the Christian community to practise their faith freely. 'In this spirit, I would like to thank the Miri City Iban Methodist Church and all its congregation members who continue to play an active role in contributing to community development, particularly in providing support and welfare to those in need. 'I deeply appreciate the role of religion, including Christianity, in nurturing good values within our society. The teachings of love, humility, and mutual assistance found in Christianity are essential foundations for our collective well-being,' he said. Also present were Political Secretary to the Premier of Sarawak Pandang Semat, Sarawak Iban Annual Conference (SIAC) president Rev Bonnie Sedau and his wife Rev Yan Foon Peng, Bintulu Iban Methodist Church head Rev Lembai Banyang, Miri City Iban Methodist Church supervising pastor Rev Breindstein Kulleh, Miri City Iban Methodist Church head Jambi Jawat, Miri City Iban Methodist Church executive committee chairman Dominic Untam, and organising chairman Daniel Liman. — The Borneo Post
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Sarawak to build 20,000 affordable homes by 2030 amid housing mismatch, says deputy premier
KUCHING, July 6 — The Sarawak Government is planning to build 20,000 units of affordable housing between 2026 and 2030 under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), as part of its commitment to ensure more Sarawakians have access to decent and affordable homes. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the move comes in response to a growing mismatch between the number of available housing units and the actual number of households across the state. Speaking at the 2025 Azmi Real Estate Annual Gala Dinner here last night, Dr Sim cited 2023 statistics showing that Sarawak had about 770,000 housing units, while the number of heads of households was only around 630,000. 'This shows an excess of around 140,000 housing units, largely due to rural-to-urban migration and the purchase of homes for investment purposes,' he was quoted as saying in a report by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas). Dr Sim, who is also the Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister, stressed that the state government is working hard to correct this imbalance and ensure housing development meets the real needs of the people. 'Under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), we only managed to build 3,000 units. But under the 13MP, from next year until 2030, the Sarawak Economic Planning Unit (EPU) is proposing a total of 20,000 units. That's a jump from 3,000 to 20,000,' he said. To make homeownership more accessible, especially for low-income earners, Dr Sim said the state has introduced a number of support measures, including a RM10,000 deposit assistance scheme for first-time homebuyers and housing loans with interest rates as low as one per cent for the B40 group. He added that these low-interest loans are provided through the state's own financial body, Mutiara Mortgage and Credit, for homes priced under RM300,000. — The Borneo Post
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Asean foreign ministers to adopt five key outcome documents this week
KUALA LUMPUR: The 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and its related meetings, to be held from July 8 to 11, will see the adoption of five key outcome documents and the participation of foreign ministers and leaders from 35 countries. Foreign Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin said the outcome documents include the Joint Statement of the 58th AMM, the Chairman's Statement on the Asean Post Ministerial Conferences (PMC) with 10 Asean Dialogue Partners (10+1), and the Chairman's Statement of the 26th Asean Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Also to be adopted are the Chairman's Statement of the 15th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the Chairman's Statement of the 32nd Asean Regional Forum (ARF). The high-level meetings, hosted at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), are expected to gather some 1,500 delegates. These include foreign ministers from Asean member states, Timor-Leste, Asean Dialogue Partners, ARF participating countries, Sectoral Dialogue Partners, and senior officials from the Asean Secretariat. Amran said the participation of leaders and foreign ministers reflects a genuine interest, despite the overlapping schedules of international and regional meetings. "As soon as Malaysia assumed the Asean Chairmanship, expectations were already high among Asean member states and dialogue partners for stronger Asean-external cooperation. "These expectations are not just from within Asean but also from dialogue and sectoral dialogue partners, as well as countries associated with Asean. "The participation of leaders and foreign ministers is routine and reflects genuine interest. "So far, participation has been very encouraging," he said. The series of meetings will begin tomorrow with the Asean Senior Officials' Meeting and the Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Commission (SEANWFZ ExCom). On Tuesday, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan will receive his counterparts from Asean, along with the Asean Secretary-General and the Foreign Minister of Timor-Leste. This will be followed by the Asean Foreign Ministers' Interface Meeting with representatives of the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and the Meeting of the SEANWFZ Commission. Trilateral meetings involving Malaysia, Brazil and the Asean Secretariat, as well as Malaysia, Norway and the Asean Secretariat, are also scheduled. On Wednesday, delegates will pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who will officiate the Opening Ceremony of the 58th AMM. This will be followed by the 58th AMM Plenary Session and the AMM Retreat Session. A Signing Ceremony for the Instrument of Accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) will also be held. Thursday will feature the Asean Post-Ministerial Conferences with Asean's key partners including China, Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Japan, Russia, South Korea, and the United States. Additional engagements include a trilateral meeting between Malaysia, Switzerland and the Asean Secretariat, the 6th Mekong-Japan Cooperation Ministerial Meeting, and the 26th Asean Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting. A gala dinner for foreign ministers and their spouses, hosted by Mohamad Hasan and his spouse, will be held that evening. On the final day, a trilateral meeting between Malaysia, Turkiye and the Asean Secretariat will take place. The Asean Post-Ministerial Conferences will continue with the United Kingdom and the European Union, followed by the 15th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the 13th Mekong–Republic of Korea Cooperation Ministerial Meeting, the 32nd Asean Regional Forum, and the Fourth Conference on Cooperation Among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD IV). The week-long event will conclude with a press conference by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
