Event
Regional Workshop on Energy and Non-Traditional Security
28-29 August 2008, Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, Singapore
The issue of energy security – namely the security of supply, demand and sustainable development of energy – has taken on added significance given the devastating effects of spiraling world oil price. This has only exacerbated pressures on national economies and thwarted socio-economic developments of many developing countries. The significance of oil on the global economy has therefore transcended beyond the traditional political concerns and into the sphere of non-traditional issues such as human, health and food security, which have ultimately served to undermine the security of the state.
The stream of protests in various parts of Asia as a result of governments’ action of raising domestic fuel prices and their inability to mitigate soaring prices of basic food commodities, clearly underscores this trend. The demonstrations in Myanmar, Indonesia and Thailand in 2007 are a reminder of this trend and an indication of the risks posed to governments if they fail to provide the basic needs of their people, especially the poor and marginalized who would be most affected. Thus, it is critical to adopt a holistic and inter-disciplinary approach to addressing rising energy as well as human security needs.
This, however, would not be a smooth ride. While interdependence, cooperation and advancements in technology are viable options to address the issues, the degree of interconnectivity coupled with this limited and uneven distribution of resources could undermine efforts. The issue of biofuels is one such example. Once heralded as the poster child for sustainable energy, its detractors now regard 1st generation biofuels as a rival against food supplies; no matter whether directly, or indirectly in terms of competition for arable land. It is unprecedented, for the world to face the dilemma between fuelling our stomachs and powering our industries. Furthermore, other technology savvy solutions have their flaws – Solar energy is expensive, the dams built for hydropower energy are potentially dangerous and nuclear energy, would pose long term problems with its radioactive waste. This therefore brings into question, the ability of states of states’ in being able to effectively adopt such alternative energy resources, vis-à-vis the implications that these initiatives would pose to the security of not only their citizens, but the rest of the region.
These issues and challenges were raised Regional Workshop on Energy and Non-Traditional Security, from the 28th – 29th August 2008 at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, Singapore, organized by the Centre for Non-Traditional Security (NTS) Studies at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University. The workshop examined the shifting approach to energy security beyond the conventional, state-centric, geo-political approach toward a human security-centric approach in the East Asian region; including the role of major external players such as the United States, China and India. It was acknowledged that existing discussions on the issue still remain divided as seeing energy security as a traditional issue and thereby require greater emphasis on human security.
The workshop gathered together energy experts from throughout the East Asian region. Delivering the Opening Address was Professor S.K. Chou, Executive Director of the Energy Studies Institute from the National University of Singapore. In his address, he underscored the need to further understand the non-traditional security aspects of energy security. He also noted that the way forward would be to acknowledge the importance of utilizing energy security’s characteristics of interdependence and greater connectivity as assets to benchmark our energy use and outputs. On the macro level, defined measurements such as energy use per capita GDP and carbon emission per unit of income allow enlightened comparisons between regions and industries in terms of responsibilities and efficiencies. On the micro level, when one family can benchmark their energy use against the communal average, or one town centre against another, competition and peer pressure begin to take effect.
In setting the stage for the following panels and discussions, Assoc Prof Mely Caballero Anthony (Head, RSIS Centre for NTS Studies), Dr Chang Youngho (Assistant Professor (RSIS Centre for NTS Studies) and Prof James Tang (University of Hong Kong), provided a conceptual overview of Energy and Non-Traditional Security. It was noted that new emerging challenges has brought a new energy security paradigm, which straddles beyond economics and revolves around energy, environment and security. In light of this, energy security is more than a price and supply issues, as it has geopolitical ramifications – such as the emergence of new players like China and India - where national and international security concerns are tightly interwoven. This therefore raises questions as to what extent should energy security be re-conceptualized in view of the emergent NTS issues? Would this entail revisiting old energy security issues or uncovering new energy security issues? More importantly, can a framework for rethinking ES be explored?
Programme
27 August (Wednesday) Arrival of foreign participants 1900 hrs: Welcome Dinner (only for Invited Participants)
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28 August (Thursday) |
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0830 |
Registration Workshop Venue: Riverfront 1 & 2
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0900 - 0915 |
Welcome Address Opening Address (TBC) |
0915 - 1000 |
Session 1: Shifting Views on Energy Security? An Overview
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1000 – 1030 |
Tea break |
1030 – 1200 |
Session 2: Regional Players (I) – North East Asia Chairperson: Mr. Kwa Chong Guan / Dr. Chang Youngho (tbc) China ’s Energy Security Korea ’s Energy Security Discussant |
12.30- 1400
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Lunch |
1400 - 1530
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Session 3: Regional Players (II) – South East Asia Chairperson Indonesia ’s Energy Security Singapore’s Energy Security & Mr. Nur Azha Putra B Abdul Azim Discussant Prof Han Feng
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1530 - 1600 |
Tea Break |
1600 - 1730 |
Session 4 : External Players Chairperson United States ’ Energy Security India ’s Energy Security Australia ’s Energy Security Shifting geopolitics in the Caspian Basin: The New Multifaceted Security Equation Discussant Dr. Bo Kong
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1900 |
Dinner (only for Invited Participants) Venue: Jumbo Seafood Pte Ltd
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29 August (Friday) |
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0900-1030 |
Session 5: Non-Traditional Dimensions of Energy Security (I) Chairperson Environmental Impact in Northeast Asia Environmental Impact in Southeast Asia Discussant
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1030 - 1100 |
Tea break |
1100 – 12.30 |
Session 6: Non-Traditional Dimensions of Energy Security (II) Chairperson Socio-Economic Impact in Northeast Asia Socio-Economic Impact in Southeast Asia Discussant
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1230- 1400
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Lunch |
1400 - 1600 |
Session 7: Towards a New Framework – Roundtable Session Chairperson Role of Markets in Governance and Energy Security & Mr. Collin Koh States, Regional and Global Governance Role of Civil Society in Energy Security Role of Technology Discussants & Dr. Guy Hentsch
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1600 1700 |
Concluding Remarks Free & Easy
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30 August |
Departure of Foreign Participants |