Asia CCUS Network Forum

20 August 2026

The Fourth Asia CCUS Network Forum

Bangkok, 15 August 2024: The Fourth Asia CCUS Network Forum, co-hosted by ERIA, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Thailand's Ministry of Energy (MOEN), and the SETA 2024 Secretariat, took place on 15 August 2024 at BITEC, Bangkok.

The forum was officially opened by Prof Dr Pisut Painmanakul, Chairman of SETA 2024; Dr Norkun Sitthiphong, Advisor to the Minister of Energy, Thailand; and H.E. Otaka Masato, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Thailand. Video remarks were delivered by key figures including H.E. Arifin Tasrif, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources of Indonesia; H.E. Ken Saito, Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry of Japan; the Honourable Khamso Kouphokham, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Mines of Lao PDR; Ir Dr Sanjayan Velautham, Chief Operating Officer of the Energy Commission of Malaysia; and Tetsuya Watanabe, President of ERIA.

Minister Arifin Tasrif said in his remarks, ‘The transition to a low-carbon economy is both a significant challenge and opportunity. Indonesia is committed to developing CCUS technology as part of our strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060. We believe that regional and international collaboration is crucial to accelerating the implementation of this technology and creating a sustainable future.’

This year's forum focused on recent developments in the regulatory framework for CCS/CCUS, advancements in carbon utilisation technology (or carbon recycling), and policy discussions regarding CCS/CCUS business opportunities amongst ACN member countries. The forum underscored the critical role of CCS/CCUS regulations in encouraging private sector involvement and recommended that ACN member countries learn from the regulations of more advanced nations.

Carbon recycling technology, particularly for producing construction materials, synthetic fuels, synthetic chemicals, and methane gases, was identified as a key area for ACN member countries to explore. However, the high cost of carbon recycling products presents a significant challenge, highlighting the need for further technological development and the establishment of a carbon pricing market.

ACN member countries have made significant progress in the field of CCS/CCUS. Indonesia has implemented CCS/CCUS regulations across various industries and is studying CO2 storage potential in saline aquifers. Malaysia, through Petronas, is investigating the feasibility of CO2 cross-boundary transportation. Thailand is advancing five CCS/CCUS pilot projects and assessing CO2 storage potential at five candidate sites. The Philippines is revisiting the potential for CCUS and the need for a supportive legal and regulatory framework. Additionally, numerous MOUs and MOCs signed by Japanese and local companies are expected to enhance the number of CCS/CCUS pilot projects within ACN member countries.

As a key platform for CCS/CCUS development and deployment in the Asia region, the ACN will continue to support its member countries by sharing knowledge on legal and regulatory frameworks, assessing CO2 storage potential, establishing CO2 value chain networks between emitting and storing countries, and developing financing schemes, including carbon pricing markets and carbon credit mechanisms.

Webinar Recording

Click the links below to watch the recording on YouTube.

Full video of The Fourth Asia CCUS Forum

  • Welcoming and Opening Remarks
    • Prof Dr Pisut Painmanakul, Chairman of SETA 2024
    • Dr Norkun Sitthiphong, Advisor to the Minister of Energy on behalf of the Minister of Energy, Thailand
    • H.E. Otaka Masato, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Thailand
    • Tsuruda Masanori, Deputy Commissioner for International Affairs, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy (ANRE), Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan
    • Shigeru Kimura, Senior Policy Fellow for Energy Affairs on behalf of the President, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)
    • Prof. Terazawa Tatsuya, Chairman and CEO, The Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ), Japan
  • Ministerial Remarks
    • H.E. Arifin Tasrif, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Indonesia
    • H.E. Saito Ken, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan
    • H.E. Khamso Kouphokham, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM), Lao PDR
    • Ir Dr Sanjayan Velautham, Chief Operating Officer of the Energy Commission of Malaysia
    • H.E. Tetsuya Watanabe, President, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)
  • Keynote Speeches
    • Jarad Daniels, Chief Executive Officer, Global CCS Institute (GCCSI)
    • Dr. Yamamoto Koji, Vice President, Energy Business Unit, Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC), Japan |
  • Session 1: Panel Discussion on Shifting CCS to Commercial Business under Appropriate Regulations
    • Moderated by Dr I Gusti Suarnaya Sidemen, CCS-CCUS Expert, Energy Unit, Research Department, ERIA
    • Mr Hariadi Budiman, Chief Representative, Esso Indonesia Inc
    • Ms Hanh Le, Advisor on Cross-border CCS Policies, Asia Natural Gas & Energy Association (ANGEA)
    • Mr Noah Deich, Senior Advisor, Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, U.S. Department of Energy, United States
  • Session 2: Panel Discussion on CCU (Carbon Recycling)
    • Moderated by Mr Shigeru Kimura, Senior Policy Fellow for Energy Affairs, ERIA
    • Ms Smitha Louis, Assistant Director, DCCEEW, Australia
    • Dr Yoshida Junichi, Director, Chemicals and Fuels Section, Carbon Recycling Unit, Circular Economy Division, New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), Japan
    • Mr Fujiyoshi Hironobu, Manager, Carbon Recycle Department, Carbon Solution Business Unit, Resources, Energy & Environmental Business Area, IHI Corporation, Japan
    • Mr Sakda Ussanaampaivithaya, Process Engineer, SCG Chemicals Co., Ltd. (SCGC), Thailand
    • Dr Luwei Chen, Senior Principal Scientist, Division of Carbon Conversion and Future Energy Carriers (CCFEC), Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE2) / Adjunct Associate Professor, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore
  • Session 3: Panel Discussion on CCUS Policy, Regulation and Financing for Carbon Management
    • Moderated by Dr Han Phoumin, Senior Energy Economist, Energy Unit, Research Department, ERIA
    • Mr Fahrur Rozi Firmansyah, Oil and Gas Inspector, Directorate General of Oil and Gas, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR), Indonesia
    • Ms Yaguchi Mai, Director, International Strategy on Energy Resources Office, Policy Planning Division, Natural Resources and Fuel Department, ANRE, METI, Japan
    • Mr Zaharin Zulkifli, Deputy Director, Planning and Strategic Communication, Energy Commission (ST), Malaysia
    • Mr Jesus T. Tamang, Expert Consultant/Associate, Energy Transitions Partnership Support in the Philippines, Aquatera Ltd., Philippines
  • Closing Remarks
    • Dr Han Phoumin, Senior Energy Economist, Energy Unit, Research Department, ERIA