25 October 2016
Baku Forum Calls for Action to Transform Energy Sector
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
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The Seventh International Forum on Energy for Sustainable Development closed with the adoption of the Baku Call for Action.

The Call asks governments to take the steps necessary to close the gap between the current level of action and that needed to achieve the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement, especially with regard to the transformation of energy systems.

21 October 2016: The Seventh International Forum on Energy for Sustainable Development closed with the adoption of the Baku Call for Action. The Call asks governments to take steps to close the gap between the current level of action and the level needed to achieve the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement on climate change, especially with regard to the transformation of energy systems.

Taking place 18-21 October 2016, in Baku, Azerbaijan, the Forum explored the energy-related SDGs and the contributions the energy sector can make towards implementation of the Paris Agreement. By SDG 7, governments commit to ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

To encourage governments to undertake concrete measures and faster implementation in these areas, Forum participants asked UN Member States to consider a draft Ministerial Declaration focused on filling identified gaps. The Declaration is proposed for adoption at the Energy Ministerial Conference at the Eighth International Forum on Energy for Sustainable Development and the EXPO-2017 ‘Future Energy,’ set for 11 June 2017, in Astana, Kazakhstan.

The draft Ministerial Declaration recognizes an urgent need to change how energy is produced and consumed, within the context of local and regional circumstances.

The draft text recognizes an urgent need to change how energy is produced and consumed, within the context of local and regional circumstances, and notes the need to: ensure adequate resources to support equitable access to modern energy services; reduce net carbon intensity of the energy sector; improve energy efficiency; and redesign renewable energy policies.

The Seventh Forum gathered over 400 participants, including international energy experts, governments, business community members, financial sector representatives, academics and civil society representatives. They took part in a High-Level Policy Dialogue, International Conference on Renewable Energy, workshops, seminars and meetings of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Group of Experts on Energy Efficiency and Group of Experts on Renewable Energy.

The Forum was organized by the Government of Azerbaijan, UN Regional Commissions, International Energy Agency (IEA), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Copenhagen Centre on Energy Efficiency (C2E2) and Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21). [UNECE Press Release] [Event Webpage] [Baku Call for Action] [Draft Ministerial Statement and Concept Note for Eighth Forum]


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