Australia will welcome global leaders in business, technology, finance and clean energy to Sydney on 12-13 July for a major summit on clean energy development and supply chains across the Indo-Pacific region.
The Indo-Pacific Clean Energy Supply Chain Forum will be co-hosted by the Australian Government and the International Energy Agency (IEA), in partnership with the Business Council of Australia.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said this ground-breaking Forum was the first of its kind, and showed Australia's commitment to clean energy development across the region.
"We know that the adoption of low emissions technology across the globe will be critical to a collective effort to meet our climate goals.
"Australian industry and our communities are leaders in the adoption of renewables and the Forum is a chance to share our expertise with neighbours across the region," the Prime Minister said.
"But we must ensure that the transition does not deny our citizens, especially in developing economies, their livelihoods or the opportunity for a better quality of life.
"The solutions we need for the challenges we face need to be as affordable and practical in Australia as they are for our regional partners.
"Technology will be the cornerstone of this transition. This Forum is about making sure that technologies, resources, workforces and supply chains are well understood and that all nations can participate in the economic opportunities.''
Regional and global experts will be invited to work together to realise the opportunities and tackle the challenges to enable diverse, competitive and resilient clean energy supply chains in the Indo-Pacific region.
Dr Alan Finkel AC will chair a high level panel of eminent global experts in low emissions technology, finance, industry and research, to shape and lead discussions at the Forum.
"These discussions will have a technical and practical focus and will identify concrete actions to secure the opportunities of the Indo-Pacific's clean energy transition," Dr Finkel said.
Prime Minister Morrison said that partnering with the world's leading energy agency, the International Energy Agency and the business sector would be crucial to the success of the Forum.
"I am pleased to co-host this event with the world's leading international energy body. I am confident that together we can deliver practical outcomes at the Forum," the Prime Minister said.
"It is also critical that Australia's world-leading businesses are at the table and shaping this important initiative from day one - and we are happy the Business Council of Australia will be working closely with us to deliver this event."
Dr Fatih Birol said, "It is a privilege for the IEA to co-host the forum with Australia. It is clear that more diverse and competitive supply chains will be essential to support the energy transition and security of the Indo-Pacific region and beyond."
Business Council of Australia chief executive Jennifer Westacott welcomed the opportunity for the BCA to partner in delivering the Forum and commended the Government for its leadership.
"Many Australian companies are leading the world in driving a clean energy future. They are at the forefront of making the most of our natural advantages, investing, innovating, transforming processes and creating new industries and jobs,'' Ms Westacott said.
"This Forum is an enormous opportunity to position the region to take advantage of the massive changes underway and fully embrace a cleaner and more prosperous future.''
The Forum will build on and provide input to the international work of the IEA, the International Renewable Energy Agency, ASEAN, Indonesia's 2022 G20 Presidency, the Quad, and the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27) in Egypt.
