24 May 2012: At a conference on “The Future of Energy” convened by the Foreign Policy Association, UN General Assembly (UNGA) President Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser stressed the urgency of improving energy access and highlighted its links to poverty. The Conference took place on 24 May 2012, in New York, US.

President Al-Nasser outlined recent three developments in the UN on the issue of energy: he designated “Sustainable development and global prosperity” as one of the four key pillars of his presidency; the UNGA declared 2012 the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL); and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched the “Access to Energy for All” initiative.

Al-Nasser urged the adoption of a new paradigm of consumption and production designed to: limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; develop mechanisms to improve energy efficiency and ensure that clean technologies are applied to fossil fuels; build capacities; facilitate access to renewable energy; and transfer technology.

Regarding the upcoming UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20), he expressed hope that world leaders will “re-draw the energy picture, by agreeing to concrete steps towards eliminating energy poverty.” [Statement of UNGA President] [UN Press Release] [Webpage of Conference]