Asia Clean Energy Forum 2026 at ADB

By Oggie Medina

The Asia Clean Energy Forum (ACEF) 2026 from June 8 to 11 marks a significant milestone as it celebrates the Asian Development Bank’s 60th anniversary while addressing the most pressing challenges in clean energy transition.

ACEF 2026 signifies a crucial milestone in the institution’s energy engagement in Asia and the Pacific. The forum reflects ADB’s updated Energy Policy in 2025 and responds to the region’s growing demand for clean energy solutions that are secure, resilient, and inclusive. It takes place against a backdrop of economic uncertainty in Asia and the Pacific, with regional growth projected to slow to 4.0% in 2026. At the same time, persistent energy access gaps continue to affect more than 400 million people, while rising geopolitical and trade tensions add further pressure on economies across the region.

ACEF serves as a regional platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the promotion of practical clean energy solutions that go beyond conventional transition models. The forum has brought together a diverse range of stakeholders including governments, private sector actors, academia, financial institutions, NGOs, and development partners to collectively address the region’s pressing energy challenges and emerging opportunities.

Moreover, ACEF 2026 focuses on advancing four essential areas: (i) building energy security through diversified, reliable clean energy sources; (ii) developing resilient systems that can withstand disruptions; (iii) promoting inclusion through equitable access and participation; and (iv) developing intelligent energy systems that use digital technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart grids to improve management efficiency.

Thanks to ADB. During the said forum, I met randomly diverse people from different nationalities. From Filipino young urban professionals like John Marc Reyes of RICARDO, Jon Goyena of CEN Corporation, Ricky Buenaflor of PhilSurv, Stef Bernardo of Development Finance International Inc., Daniel Marco Cuanjunco of ATRAM Trust Corporation, Gio Jerson C. Almonte and Regina Maria S. Padojinog of ACEN, and David Francis S. Huang of Stratbase to Filipino photographer Noli Estrada, Indonesian Sandi Saputra of RINA, Belgian Director of Policy & Business Development Jens Jaeger of Alliance for Renewable Electrification, American CEO Danica R. Starks of Morning Star Global Enterprises and Danish CEO Rune Damgaard of Copenhagen Offshore Partners.