NBR Awarded State Department Grant for Energy Sector Development
March 5, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. | Today, NBR announced that it was awarded a U.S. State Department cooperative agreement for energy sector development.

The three-year cooperative agreement is designed to strengthen regional energy security in South and Southeast Asia by convening relevant stakeholders, government representatives, and experts across the energy value chain and to support the Asia Enhancing Development and Growth through Energy (EDGE) initiative. The program has a central focus on developing policy and technical solutions with regional stakeholders to: (1) strengthen energy security of allies and partners; (2) create open, efficient, rules-based, and transparent energy markets; (3) improve free, fair, and reciprocal energy trading relationships; and (4) expand access to affordable, reliable energy. Through the program, NBR will support the professional development of the next generation of South and Southeast Asia’s energy specialists, who will be selected as Asia EDGE policy fellows.

“We’re very pleased to receive this grant,” said Roy Kamphausen, NBR president. “Asia EDGE will build on NBR’s established programming on energy security issues, and do so in ways that amplify regional efforts with partners to address the key energy policy challenges facing the Indo-Pacific.”

The Asia EDGE Initiative is a U.S. whole-of-government effort to grow sustainable and secure energy markets throughout the Indo-Pacific. This program with NBR will support efforts to advance national and regional energy market development and integration and meet sector capacity needs in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Laos, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. To deepen the understanding of regional energy issues, the program will facilitate exchange between U.S. experts and Indo-Pacific researchers, thought leaders, policymakers, regulators, and the public.

“We look forward to working with NBR,” said Frank Fannon, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Energy Resources at the State Department. “The Asia EDGE Fellows Program with NBR will institutionalize long-term efforts to propel U.S. support in the Indo-Pacific region for strengthened energy security, open markets, and expanded energy access.”

Five Asia EDGE policy fellows will be selected to receive a stipend, participate in discussions with policymakers in Washington, D.C., and the region, and author policy-relevant publications with guidance from NBR’s staff. To learn more and to apply, visit our website: https://nbr.applicantpro.com/jobs/1310172.html

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NBR is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research institution dedicated to informing and strengthening policy in the Asia-Pacific. NBR conducts advanced independent research on strategic, political, economic, globalization, health, and energy issues affecting U.S. relations with Asia

The Bureau of Energy Resources (ENR) leads the U.S. Department of State’s efforts to develop and execute international energy policy to promote: energy security for the United States and its partners and allies; U.S. economic growth that benefits American business and people; and global political stability and prosperity through energy development.

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