Manila, Philippines – The Philippines and the United States convened the 2nd United States-Philippines Energy Policy Dialogue (EPD) on 06 December 2024, in Manila, reinforcing their shared commitment to advancing energy security, expanding access, and accelerating the clean energy transition.
Philippine Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla warmly welcomed the delegates from both countries during the event while Her Excellency MaryKay Carlson, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, delivered the opening remarks. The Philippine delegation was headed by Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella. Leading the U.S. delegation were Ms. Kimberly D. Harrington, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Diplomacy at the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Energy Resources; and Ms. Ann Ganzer, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation.
The Dialogue builds on priorities initially reaffirmed during the visit of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris to the Philippines in November 2022, where both countries recognized the vital role of sustainable energy partnerships in driving economic growth and addressing global climate challenges.
A significant outcome of this year’s Dialogue was the finalization of the Guiding Document, which establishes a framework for regular and structured engagement in the energy sector. This document is designed to facilitate meaningful collaboration and ensure the effective development and implementation of joint programs.
At the core of these discussions is a shared focus on advancing the deployment of renewable energy technologies to reduce carbon emissions, modernizing and expanding energy transmission infrastructure to meet growing demand, and exploring nuclear energy as a potential option for electricity generation. Both nations also emphasized the importance of reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels to strengthen energy security and resilience.
The Dialogue also underscored the critical need for access to financing, innovative technologies, and resilient infrastructure to support a just energy transition. These initiatives are essential to ensuring that the shift to cleaner energy is equitable, affordable, and inclusive, promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth without imposing undue burdens on consumers.
By prioritizing these objectives, the Philippines and the United States aim to address the dual challenges of fostering sustainable development and mitigating climate change, while paving the way for a cleaner, more resilient, and equitable energy future.
The inaugural EPD was held in the U.S. in August last year where the Philippine delegation was led by Philippine DOE Supervising Undersecretary for Policy and Planning, Felix William B. Fuentebella. ###