About the East Asia Summit Energy Cooperation Task Force
The Energy Cooperation Task Force (ECTF) is a mechanism through which government officials from East Asia Summit (EAS) member countries seek to forge closer cooperation to address common energy security challenges in the East Asia region.
The work of the ECTF is based on existing Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) sectoral mechanisms where possible.
The establishment of the task force was agreed to by EAS leaders at the second EAS Summit in 2007 following the Cebu Declaration on East Asian Energy Security.
About the East Asia Summit (EAS)
The EAS is a forum established in 2005 that enables dialogue on political and economic challenges and strategic opportunities for the East Asia region.
Membership of the EAS comprises 18 countries: the ten Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries—Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam—plus Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, the United States and Russia.
How is RET involved?
The Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism (RET) is the lead agency responsible for Australia’s participation in the ECTF.
The department manages Australia's multilateral cooperation with EAS members, while pursuing Australia's energy security interests. As a major energy exporter and net oil importer, Australia actively promotes open and transparent energy markets that facilitate investment needed to realise energy security.
The ECTF currently shares information, data and analysis on challenges and opportunities under three work streams:
- Energy Efficiency and Conservation
- Energy Market Integration
- Biofuels for Transport and Other Purposes.
Australia co-chairs the Energy Market Integration work stream with Singapore and has been an active partner, including through our inputs and contributions to energy market integration studies.
The work of the ECTF is reviewed annually by EAS Energy Ministers who report to EAS leaders.
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