15 July 2010: The UN Secretary-General’s High-level Energy and Climate Change Advisory Group met in Mexico City, Mexico, on 15 July 2010, and focused on new public-private partnerships and other ways to support global goals on energy access and energy efficiency.

The Group discussed new public-private partnerships in support of the goals set out in a report it launched in April 2010, namely: universal access to modern energy services that are reliable, affordable, sustainable and, if possible, from low-emissions sources by 2030; and reduce by 40% global energy intensity by 2030. Kandeh K. Yumkella, Director-General of the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Chair of the Energy and Climate Change Advisory Group, stressed that “Governments alone will not be able to deal with the challenges.” He called for “a commitment from all sectors of society, including the private sector, academia and civil society, as well as from international organizations and NGOs.”

The meeting was co-hosted by Mexican Energy Minister Georgina Kessel Martínez and Carlos Slim Helú, a Mexican businessman and philanthropist who is also a member of the Group. The Group comprises 20 business leaders, academics and representatives of the UN and civil society. Noting that private companies already have the green energy technology and that many governments are offering financial incentives and support, Yumkella underscored the need to “forge a strong public-private partnership” to tackle the goals set in the Group’s report. [UN Press Release] [UNIDO Press Release] [Climate Change Policy & Practice Story on the Launch of the Group’s Report]