7 October 2009: In a message delivered to the 2009 Global Renewable Energy Forum, organized by the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) along with the Government of Mexico, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged business leaders and governments to invest in green energy schemes that move economies away from carbon-intensive energy strategies.

In his message to the Forum, which is meeting from 7-9 October 2009, in León, Mexico, Secretary-General Ban stressed the need for “a global public investment programme for renewable energy with appropriate technology transfer.” According to Ban, the pursuit of energy efficiency and the expansion of renewable energy can promote clean development and break the connection between economic growth and rising greenhouse gas emissions.
Ban underscored the Forum’s opportunity to generate political and public support for shifting towards “low-carbon and resource-efficient economies,” with only two months remaining until the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen. [UN press release] [IISD RS coverage of the 2009 Global Renewable Energy Forum]