The Asia EDGE initiative is a U.S. whole-of-government effort to grow sustainable and secure energy markets throughout the Indo-Pacific. Asia EDGE seeks to strengthen energy security, increase energy diversification and trade, and expand energy access across the region. Asia EDGE draws on the expertise and resources of the U.S. government, private sector, and international financial institutions. The initiative partners with like-minded stakeholders/parties to advance the rule-based economic order that has lifted billions out of poverty and enabled unprecedented growth over the past 70 years.
Asia EDGE focuses on four strategic objectives:
1. Strengthening the energy security of allies and partners: Access to diversified energy sources, routes, and suppliers limits the influence of a single dominant buyer, seller, or investor and guards against those who would use energy for coercive ends. Priorities include:
- Ensuring all nations are able to develop the resources in their exclusive economic zones.
- Supporting efforts to expand regional infrastructure interconnections, supply routes, and market access.
- Providing appropriate energy resources, technologies, and services, including through R&D cooperation, to support an all-of-the-above approach to energy security
2. Creating open, efficient, rule-based, and transparent energy markets: Open, efficient, rule-based, and transparent energy markets help countries determine their own energy futures, create a level playing field for companies and investors, and ultimately yield the best value for energy importers and consumers. Priorities include:
- Supporting market-based national energy policies that expand commerce in commodities, advanced technologies, services, and infrastructure.
- Fostering the development of legal, regulatory, and market development and reforms conducive to high-quality private investment.
3. Improving free, fair, and reciprocal energy trading relationships: Free, fair, and reciprocal energy trading relationships increase energy security, availability, diversification, and access and encourage regional integration through trade and market development. Priorities include:
- Leveraging development finance and export credit to catalyze private investment in energy projects
- Bolstering the upward trend of U.S. energy resource and technology exports and investment in the Indo-Pacific region.
4. Expanding access to affordable, reliable energy: Expanding access to affordable, reliable energy, including highly efficient fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewables, can help reduce poverty, foster economic growth, and promote prosperity in Indo-Pacific countries. Priorities include:
- Strengthening national and regional power systems including through improvements to utility models and grids and increased resource diversification.
- Encouraging improved efficiencies among sectors (e.g., industry, construction, transport, commercial, residential) and fuel types.
For more information contact: AsiaEDGE@state.gov.
