The Second Asia Energy Transition Summit opened on Saturday at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), attracting regional and international participation from senior government officials, diplomats, climate leaders, researchers, and civil society representatives. Jointly organized by the LUMS Energy Institute (LEI), the Alliance for Climate Justice and Clean Energy (ACJCE), and the Pakistan Renewable Energy Coalition (PREC), the summit explored the evolving political, financial, and technological landscape of Asia’s clean-energy transition.
Delivering the inaugural address, Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, emphasized the strategic reforms underway to secure Pakistan’s energy future. Highlighting the importance of a resilient and forward-looking power grid, he noted that efficient energy use remains central to achieving national and regional sustainability goals. “The most reliable source of clean energy is the energy conserved,” he said, underscoring the role of energy efficiency in a green, competitive economy.
Iqbal also stressed that no nation can achieve an energy transition alone, calling for enhanced multilateral engagement, partnership-driven financing, and deeper regional collaboration. His remarks set the tone for discussions focused on integrating large-scale renewables into the grid and modernizing Pakistan’s energy infrastructure to support both economic growth and environmental sustainability.
Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division) Awais Ahmad Leghari reinforced this vision, highlighting the need for a smart, technologically advanced grid to fully unlock renewable energy potential. “The energy transition requires significant investment. Pakistan is open to partnerships with international organizations, governments, and private-sector players. By working together, we can achieve a future where clean, renewable energy drives economic growth, improves quality of life, and protects our planet for future generations,” he said.
The plenary dialogue brought together key voices in climate and energy governance. Former Federal Minister of Finance Dr. Shamshad Akhtar called for Asia to lead global energy transition debates with integrated planning frameworks that balance financial prudence, technological readiness, and social equity. Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, former Supreme Court judge, emphasized the legal and institutional dimensions of the transition. He notably declared that climate finance is a fundamental right, noting that adaptation is impossible without timely, adequate financing. “Climate finance never matched the scale of the climate challenge and, when it arrived, it was mostly late loans. The Supreme Court, however, has affirmed it as a fundamental right,” Shah remarked.
International delegates contributed insights on financing landscapes, renewable-energy market reforms, community resilience, and cross-border cooperation, reflecting the growing global interest in Asia’s emerging leadership in clean energy. Discussions throughout the summit underscored that effective climate action requires a combination of policy reform, financial support, legal frameworks, and technological innovation.
The summit concluded by reinforcing the urgency of climate action and the pivotal role of climate finance in enabling sustainable development. Pakistan’s proactive steps toward modernizing its energy infrastructure, promoting renewable investment, and establishing climate finance as a rights-based issue signal its commitment to leading Asia’s energy transition while supporting global sustainability goals.
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