Dr. Poonpat Leesombatpiboon currently serves as Secretary General of the Office of the Energy Regulatory Commission (OERC) of Thailand, where he leads the country’s energy regulatory direction at a time of profound global uncertainty and transformation. With a clear mandate to ensure energy security, affordability, and sustainability, he has guided Thailand’s regulatory framework to respond decisively to volatility in global energy markets while advancing a pragmatic and inclusive energy transition. His leadership reflects a strong belief that regulators must not only safeguard stability, but also enable innovation, resilience, and long-term competitiveness. Dr. Poonpat has positioned the OERC as an active and constructive partner within the Energy Regulators Regional Association (ERRA). As the only Southeast Asian member, Thailand brings a unique regional perspective, bridging emerging and advanced markets. He has actively promoted deeper collaboration, strengthened institutional capacity, and championed knowledge sharing—particularly to support regulators navigating complex transitions under diverse national circumstances. An economist by training, Dr. Poonpat brings over a decade of experience across Thailand’s energy sector, spanning international policy, regional cooperation, and structural reform. Prior to his current role, he served as Deputy Director General of the Department of Mineral Fuels, contributing to cross-border resource development, and earlier as Executive Director of the International Affairs Division at the Ministry of Energy, where he led Thailand’s bilateral and multilateral energy engagements. He played a key role in advancing landmark regional initiatives, including ASEAN’s first multilateral power trade (LTMS-PIP), and has held leadership roles across ASEAN and Asia-Pacific energy platforms. His international perspective was enriched by his extensive experience with the World Bank and his role as Secretary of NCAC-USAEE (the National Capital Area Chapter of the United States Association for Energy Economics).