23 February 2018: The UN has concluded a Global Conference meant to inform the review, during the July 2018 meeting of the High-level Political Forum (HLPF), of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (affordable and clean energy). The three-day Conference brought together stakeholders to exchange lessons learned and to identify gaps and challenges to the achievement of SDG 7.

The Conference focused on four key areas: trends and gaps towards the achievement of SDG 7; interlinkages between SDG 7 and other SDGs; means of implementation, including finance, capacity building and innovation; and areas of opportunities for action by policy makers and all stakeholders in support of the 2030 Agenda. It also served as a platform to align development efforts among stakeholders, and across sectors and regions in support of sustainable energy and the 2030 Agenda.

Numerous policy memos and reports released on the occasion of the Conference outlined progress towards SDG achievement, the importance of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy, and reviews of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Reports highlighted headway that has been made in increasing global energy access, reporting that the number of people now connected to basic electricity services has increased from 73% in 1990 to 85% today. It also noted the need for sustained political will and increased finance to, by 2030, extend affordable, clean energy to the 1.2 billion people still without electricity access.

The number of people now connected to basic electricity services has increased from 73% in 1990 to 85% today.

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) launched its own report in conjunction with the Conference. Titled, ‘Renewable Energy Market Analysis: Southeast Asia,’ it reviews policies needed to accelerate the energy transformation and examines investment trends and policy instruments that support renewable energy development in Southeast Asia.

Representatives of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) used the opportunity to present on the peaceful use of nuclear technologies in various areas, including energy, health, food production and environmental protection. IAEA also chaired a session titled, ‘Partnerships to advance the interlinkages between SDG 7 and other SDGs,’ and presented its capacity building activities in energy planning and analysis during a workshop on information integration and decision-making processes.

The Conference featured a ‘SDG 7 Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Exchange’ also meant to feed into the upcoming HLPF review. This day promoted experience sharing and served as a launch pad for new stakeholder commitments and collaborations, in support of the achievement of SDG 7. The Exchange emphasized initiatives that demonstrated concrete interlinkages between SDG 7 and the other Goals.

The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), and the Thai Ministry of Energy organized the Conference, which convened from 21-23 February, in Bangkok, Thailand. [UNESCAP Post-Conference Press Release] [UNESCAP Pre-Conference Press Release] [Modern Diplomacy – IRENA Publication] [SDG 7 Conference Documentation] [IAEA Press Release] [SDG 7 Multi-stakeholder Partnership Exchange]