The Energy Crisis in Southeast Asia: Consequences for Economic Growth, Political Stability, and Energy Transitions? (Roundtable)
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the resultant shocks to energy markets have rippled out to Southeast Asia. The impact goes beyond rising fuel prices, with growing risk of disruptions to government finances and policy agendas, political stability, and critical infrastructures and supply chains underpinning economic growth and stability across the region. The crisis has also spurred governments across the region to recalibrate both their economic growth models and their foreign relations to prioritize energy security.
Against this backdrop, this roundtable discussion brings together specialists on the region to examine the consequences of the energy crisis on key countries in Southeast Asia, paying close attention to both economic and political impacts, policy responses, and the implications for geopolitical contestation and ‘energy transitions’ across the region.
Speaker, moderator, & chair biographies
Myn Garcia is the Deputy Country Representative at The Asia Foundation in the Philippines, providing leadership across 49 countries' worth of international development and diplomacy experience spanning over 20 years, with a track record in strategic planning, change management, and catalytic development programming. She previously served two terms as Deputy Director General of the Commonwealth Foundation (2012–2019), where she led the organization's strategic architecture. Prior to the Commonwealth Foundation, she led GAC-funded governance and peacebuilding programs in Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines.
Dr. Clare Richardson-Barlow is a Lecturer in Global Politics of China in the School of Politics and International Studies at the University of Leeds. Her research focuses on the political economy and governance of energy transitions, with particular interests in just transition, industrial decarbonisation, and energy and climate justice across China and Southeast Asia. Her work in Southeast Asia has examined energy access and justice, community energy systems, labour and the energy transition, and the politics and governance of decarbonisation.
Khaliungoo Ganbat is the Country Representative at The Asia Foundation in Lao PDR, providing strategic leadership for programs in governance, environmental resilience, and inclusive economic growth. She previously served as Director of Governance Programs at the Foundation's Mongolia office (2019–2024), leading USAID- and SDC-funded urban and climate governance programming that advanced municipal budget transparency, service digitization, and climate-resilient urban development. Prior to the Foundation, she worked on community relations and sustainable development with UNDP, UNFAO, and multinational corporations across Mongolia, Australia, Canada, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic.
Dr. Petra Alderman is a researcher and Centre Manager at the Saw Swee Hock Southeast Asia Centre at the LSE. Her research focuses on authoritarianism, democracy, and promotional politics, with a particular expertise on Thailand.
Prof. John Sidel is Director of the Saw Swee Hock Southeast Asia Centre, and the Sir Patrick Gillam Professor of International and Comparative Politics at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
*Banner photo by Leo_Visions on Unsplash
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