Korea convenes experts to shape RISE ASIA energy security plan with IEA

South Korea's environment ministry said Thursday it convened domestic private-sector and academic experts in Seoul to discuss how they can take part in RISE ASIA, an energy security initiative it is developing jointly with the International Energy Agency.

The policy meeting at the Coal Hall in Jongno District, central Seoul was chaired by Vice Minister Lee Ho-hyun and brought together specialists from academia, research institutes, industry, finance and civil society, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said.

The initiative has been pursued since Sept. 17, when the ministry signed a memorandum of understanding with the IEA immediately after President Lee Jae-myung met with IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol, the ministry said. A joint press statement at the 23rd ASEAN+3 energy ministers' meeting in October included RISE ASIA.

RISE ASIA is built on three cooperation tracks: sharing energy risk information and coordinating crisis response, cooperating on electrification for future growth, and holding an open and inclusive energy policy dialogue. The aim is a resilient energy cooperation system for the region.

Geopolitical instability has exposed the vulnerability of Asian economies that rely heavily on fossil fuel imports, while the spread of artificial intelligence, data centres and advanced industries is pushing up electricity demand, the ministry said. Energy security is increasingly defined by the stability of power supply, clean energy supply chains and climate resilience rather than by secure fossil fuel supplies alone, it said.

The meeting was intended to share the direction of the RISE ASIA plan and hear from experts on how to flesh out its cooperation tracks, including work on clean electrification, and to seek ways for domestic research institutes, companies, financial institutions and civil society to join the effort.

"I hope this forum becomes a starting point for building a shared understanding of the direction and purpose of RISE ASIA and for exploring concrete ways for the private sector and government to cooperate," Vice Minister Lee said.

He added that the ministry would work with the IEA to turn the experts' views into specific tasks and an implementation plan, and would widen the base for continued participation by research institutes, companies, financial institutions and civil society.