Kuala lumpur: The Philippines will prioritize strengthening connectivity, accelerating digitalization, and advancing the ASEAN Power Grid to meet the region’s growing energy demands when it assumes the ASEAN chairmanship in 2026, said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Marcos emphasized that the Philippines, as the next ASEAN Chair, would continue building on ongoing efforts to enhance both physical and digital connectivity, which are crucial to fulfilling the bloc’s ambition of becoming the world’s fourth-largest economy.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Marcos highlighted the importance of connectivity in an exclusive interview with Bernama Editor-in-Chief, Arul Rajoo Durar Raj. He stressed the need for ASEAN to focus on the digitalization of processes, especially given the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). Marcos was in Kuala Lumpur for the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, which concluded on Tuesday.

The President noted the critical role of interconnectivity, emphasizing the proposed ASEAN Power Grid as essential to meet the region’s growing energy demands. Marcos pointed out that the pressure on the power supply system is increasing due to the establishment of data centers and the rising demand for electrical power. He underscored the need for ASEAN to remain agile and adaptable to technological changes, as the demands on power generation are expected to grow significantly.

The ASEAN Power Grid was established under ASEAN Vision 2020, adopted at the Second ASEAN Informal Summit in Kuala Lumpur on December 15, 1997, according to the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) website. At the Third Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Leaders’ Meeting, held on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summits, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim called for strengthened technical and financial collaboration to accelerate the integration of the ASEAN Power Grid. Anwar emphasized that the grid is a key pillar in achieving long-term energy security and climate ambitions, aligning with Malaysia’s national initiatives towards a low-carbon future.

AZEC, launched in 2023, currently comprises 11 partner countries, including the Philippines, Malaysia, Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Malaysia officially handed over the ASEAN Chairmanship to the Philippines on Tuesday.