Updated at 6.45 p.m. April 15, 2026
THAI Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul joined the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Plus Online Summit this afternoon (April 15) where he stressed the importance of regional cooperation amidst global energy volatility brought on by ongoing war in the Middle East, Naewna newspaper said.
This forum was initiated by Japan in 2022 to address energy security concerns. This year’s summit, chaired by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, included leaders from AZEC member countries namely the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Timor-Leste, Bangladesh, and Thailand, as well as ministerial-level representatives from South Korea, Australia, Brunei, India, Sri Lanka, and relevant international organisations including the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
On this occasion, the Japanese Prime Minister announced a new initiative to support AZEC member countries, providing low-interest loans for the procurement of crude oil, refined petroleum products, and essential goods, along with fiscal support measures. She also proposed upgrading cooperation to “AZEC 2.0” to enhance long-term energy resiliency for member countries.
Takaichi said Japan would establish a financial framework worth about US$10 billion to help Asian countries procure energy resources and bolster their stockpiles as Middle East tensions drive prices higher and disrupt supply chains, according to a Reuters report published by CNA
The support, aimed at preventing knock-on effects on Japan’s own supply chains, would be channelled mainly through state-backed financial institutions such as Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI).
Takaichi added that the support would be equivalent to as much as 1.2 billion barrels of oil, or about one year’s worth of crude oil imports by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
At the meeting, the Thai Prime Minister said global energy volatility necessitates international connectivity to ensure maritime security for global energy and food security.
While many countries have similar measures in place, their capabilities and limitations differ, making international cooperation a key factor. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) has discussed this at the foreign ministerial level and will continue this effort at the Asean Leaders’ Summit to strengthen cooperation with Japan in maintaining supply chain stability and enhancing resilience at critical points, he added
In the short term, Anutin stressed the need to stabilise energy markets and utilise cooperative mechanisms to mitigate the impact. Thailand has been closely monitoring domestic fuel management to prevent rapid increases in energy costs and has implemented targeted assistance measures for specific groups of citizens.
The government prioritises the well-being of its citizens, aiming to ensure sufficient energy access at reasonable prices while simultaneously reducing the cost of living resulting from global energy price fluctuations.
In the long term, this crisis is an opportunity to accelerate energy transition and strengthen regional renewable energy supply chain towards the goal of net-zero emissions, he said, adding Thailand continues to promote clean energy, such as increasing the proportion of biofuels and expanding solar power
CAPTION:
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his team attending the AZEC Plus Online Summit at Government House today, April 15, 2026. Photos- Naewna
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