KUALA LUMPUR, October 21, 2025: FutureCoal – the Global Alliance for Sustainable Coal – and the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) have renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on October 17, 2025, reaffirming their shared commitment to advancing sustainable and responsible coal development across the ASEAN region.
Since the signing of their initial MoU in 2017, the partnership has produced two landmark studies. The first, “Clean Coal Technologies in the ASEAN,” demonstrated how upgrading existing coal plants with high-efficiency, low-emissions (HELE) technology can significantly reduce emissions, enhance reliability, and increase output, offering a more economically viable alternative to conventional systems.
The second report, “Addressing UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the ASEAN Coal Value Chain,” highlighted how coal-linked industries contribute to employment, education, and social welfare, fostering sustainable development through collaboration with ASEAN communities and businesses.
Dato’ Ir. Ts. Razib Dawood, Executive Director of ACE, welcomed the renewed cooperation, stating that under the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2026–2030, the “Clean Coal Transformation” programme has been expanded to promote a responsible, lower-carbon coal value chain. “Collaboration with partners like FutureCoal is vital to ensuring energy security and achieving a just, inclusive energy transition,” he said.
Michelle Manook, CEO of FutureCoal, underscored the partnership’s strategic value, saying, “We are proud to continue working with ACE, one of Asia’s most respected energy institutions, to demonstrate how coal can evolve through technology and innovation.” She added that the renewed collaboration would focus on sharing best practices, mobilising investment, and accelerating coal’s transformation across ASEAN.
A key feature of the MoU renewal is the adoption of FutureCoal’s Sustainable Coal Stewardship (SCS) framework, which promotes responsible coal development to achieve environmental, social, and economic benefits.
“SCS provides a practical foundation for exploring technologies that cut emissions, boost efficiency, and create new value streams from coal,” Ms. Manook noted. “Through our joint work with ACE, we aim to help ASEAN member states pursue cleaner, more competitive, and sustainable energy pathways.”
