Asia CCUS Forum Underscores Cross-Border Cooperation for Net-Zero Transition

Jakarta, 11 September 2025 - The 5th Asia CCUS Network (ACN) Forum, co-hosted by ERIA and Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), took place on 10-11 September 2025 at the Fairmont Hotel in Jakarta. Organised in collaboration with Indonesia's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, SKK Migas, and the Indonesia Center of Excellence for CCS and CCUS, the forum convened over 400 participants both onsite and online.

This year's forum focused on cross-border Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and advancements in carbon recycling, key enablers of Asia's transition toward net-zero emissions.

Opening Remarks Emphasise Regional Cooperation

Key dignitaries delivered opening remarks, including:

• H.E. Tetsuya Watanabe, President of ERIA
• H.E. Kazuo Chujo, Minister/Deputy Head of the Mission of Japan to ASEAN
• H.E. Eddy Soeparno, Deputy Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly of Indonesia
• Mr Laode Sulaeman, Director General of Oil and Gas, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of Indonesia

Pre-recorded messages were also shared by:

• H.E. Yoji Muto, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan
• H.E. Malaithong Kommasith, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Lao PDR

In his remarks, ERIA President Tetsuya Watanabe highlighted the need for intensified collaboration.

'The 5th ACN Forum focuses on cross-border CCS and carbon recycling. These issues require unprecedented cooperation. No single country can achieve them alone. We need harmonised regulations, investment in infrastructure, and trust between governments, industries, and communities,' he said.

'The Asia CCUS Network provides a unique platform to build that trust and turn vision into action.'

Keynotes and Strategic Insights

The opening session was followed by keynote speeches from:

• Dr Djoko Siswanto, Head of SKK Migas
• Prof. Sanggono Adisasmito, Executive Director, Indonesia Center of Excellence for CCS and CCUS
• Dr Koji Yamamoto, CTO, Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC)
• Ms Mary Burce Warlick, Deputy Executive Director, International Energy Agency (IEA)
• Dr Jarad Daniels, CEO, Global CCS Institute (GCCSI)

ERIA, as ACN Secretariat, also presented the network's 2024-2025 activities and strategic outlook. These include:

• Regional knowledge-sharing conferences
• Capacity-building and training programmes
• Studies on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA), and CCU feasibility in East Asia Summit countries

Technical Sessions and Policy Dialogue

Day 1 of the forum featured four technical sessions:

1. Policy considerations for cross-border CCS in Asia-Pacific
2. Commercial aspects of cross-border CCS
3. CO shipping as an enabler of cross-border CCS
4. Expanding CCS and CCU/carbon recycling deployment

On Day 2, ACN Advisory Group members from six countries (Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, and Myanmar) took part in a panel discussion on policy, regulation, and financing for carbon management.

Speakers throughout the 2-day event underscored the importance of multilateral cooperation and public-private partnerships in developing a comprehensive CCS value chain - from capture and shipping to long-term storage and carbon utilisation.

Case Studies and Regional Momentum

Case studies shared during the forum included:

• CCS feasibility studies in Indonesia
• Basin-scale CO storage assessments
• Emerging carbon recycling technologies

These examples reflect growing momentum for CCUS initiatives across the region.

Looking Ahead

Since its establishment in 2021, the Asia CCUS Network has functioned as a regional platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration. Going forward, ACN aims to further support its members through:

• Development of regulatory frameworks
• CO storage mapping
• Financing mechanisms
• Regional CO value chain development

5th Asia CCUS Network Forum Press Release - Annex by Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia