8 September 2015
G20 Energy Sustainability Group Discusses Energy Access Action Plan
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In its third meeting in 2015, the Group of 20 (G20) Energy Sustainability Working Group (ESWG) received the draft of an Energy Access Action Plan, prepared by the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) initiative.

G20 energy ministers are expected to endorse the final version of the plan as a voluntary collaboration mechanism in October 2015.

g20-turkey3 September 2015: In its third meeting in 2015, the Group of 20 (G20) Energy Sustainability Working Group (ESWG) received the draft of an Energy Access Action Plan, prepared by the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All) initiative. G20 energy ministers are expected to endorse the final version of the plan as a voluntary collaboration mechanism in October 2015.

The Energy Access Action Plan was drafted by SE4All, in collaboration with the African Union (AU) and the African Development Bank (AfDB), upon the request of the Turkish Presidency of the G20 after an agreement by G20 leaders in 2014 to work together to “ensure access to affordable and reliable energy for all.” The plan received support from a number of international organizations and partnerships, including the International Energy Agency (IEA), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the World Bank.

The Action Plan: aims to strengthen G20 collaboration on energy access issues while taking into account existing energy poverty-related initiatives; demonstrates how G20 members can accelerate action towards Sustainable Development Goal 7 (on energy); and includes two phases.

In the first phase, the draft Action Plan proposes options for G20 to endorse or adopt in order to support energy access in Sub-Saharan Africa, including: knowledge sharing on policy and regulation; technology; investment and finance; capacity building; and regional cooperation. For future phases, the Plan proposes focusing on other regions and thematic areas, such as clean cooking solutions and women’s and children’s health.

The third G20 ESWG meeting convened in Izmir, Turkey, from 1-3 September. In 2015, the ESWG has also met in Antalya, Turkey, from 24-25 February, and in Istanbul, Turkey, from 25-26 May. The G20 Energy Ministers meeting will be held in Istanbul on 2 October. [SE4All Press Release] [G20 2015 Event Schedule] [G20 Leaders’ Communiqué 2014] [G20 Principles on Energy Collaboration]


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