Y4E-SEA Brings Youth and Gender Perspectives to ASEAN Energy Gender Week 2026

Manila, Philippines, March 2026 — Youth for Energy Southeast Asia (Y4E-SEA) joined regional leaders and energy stakeholders at ASEAN Energy Gender Week 2026, contributing youth perspectives to discussions on gender equality, social inclusion, and a just energy transition in Southeast Asia.

The ASEAN Energy Gender Week 2026 serves as a regional platform to strengthen policy dialogue, foster multistakeholder collaboration, and identify practical pathways toward a more inclusive energy future. It also supports the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship 2026 under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together” and contributes to the implementation of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2026–2030, including efforts to integrate Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) into energy policy and planning.

Y4E-SEA’s Philippines Country Director, Bea Buensuceso, was featured as a panellist in the session “Turning Gender Equality and Inclusive Community into Action,” where she joined representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat, Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), Pertamina New and Renewable Energy, and the Clean Energy Ministerial. The discussion focused on addressing systemic barriers to gender inclusion in the energy sector and identifying actionable approaches to build a more equitable clean energy transition. 

During the session, Bea underscored that youth and gender inclusion must be addressed together, emphasizing the need to create concrete pathways for young women through mentorship, leadership development, and workforce opportunities, while also strengthening collaboration with youth-led organizations to support a more inclusive and future-ready energy workforce.

In parallel, Y4E-SEA Philippines Vice Country Director, Jason Occidental, participated in the ASEAN Energy Gender Week’s interactive breakout sessions, contributing critical youth and gender perspectives to ongoing discussions. His engagement underscored the vital role of young leaders in ensuring that energy transition strategies are inclusive, equitable, and responsive to the needs of future generations.

Through its participation at the ASEAN Energy Gender Week 2026, Y4E-SEA reaffirmed the importance of youth leadership in shaping regional energy policy and advancing inclusive, people-centered energy transitions across Southeast Asia.