Looking to advance shared energy goals, Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Keith Krach; Assistant Secretary of State Francis Fannon; Japanese State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Kiyoshi Ejima; and Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Dang Hoang An participated in the Trilateral Vietnam-U.S.-Japan Commercial Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Forum on December 2. The forum was conducted under the aegis of the Japan-U.S Strategic Energy Partnership, which was launched in 2017 to promote a network of clean and secure energy sources and new technology markets to provide competitive alternatives to malign actors in the region. The three countries agreed regional growth is best achieved as a result of fair and transparent competition, including in energy markets for LNG and new fuel sources.
Under Secretary Krach emphasized the growing role of LNG in developing a network of clean and secure energy markets as the region prepares to diversify energy resources. Assistant Secretary Fannon highlighted the importance of LNG as a flexible energy platform that will enable Vietnam’s energy transition. Vietnam’s leadership on clean energy goals and on private sector led growth will continue as an example as it works with its neighbors to prepare for the mid-decade surge in energy demand. As Vietnam utilizes newer and more efficient fuel sources and energy technologies, the United States and Japan will provide continuing support, commercial innovation, and private sector investment.
The United States and Japan commend Vietnam’s leadership in upholding commitments made at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum three years ago, including Vietnam’s enacting of legislation to spur private sector investment and support market-led growth. Vietnam has made great strides to diversify and invest in energy security for its future.
For further information, contact Donald Kilburg, Spokesperson for the Bureau of Energy Resources, at KilburgDF@america.gov or visit 2017-2021.state.gov/e/enr. Additional information is available on Twitter at @EnergyAtState .