5 December 2012: The UN General Assembly’s (UNGA) Second Committee (Economic and Financial) approved draft resolution A/C.2/67/L.52 on “Promotion of new and renewable sources of energy” on 5 December 2012, in New York, US. The draft declares the decade 2014-2024 to be the “United Nations Decade of Sustainable Energy for All” to promote the use of all sources of energy.

Particularly emphasizing an increase in renewable energy sources and energy efficiency, the draft calls on governments and relevant stakeholders to mobilize financial resources and technology transfers to assist developing countries. It encourages new market-oriented strategies, and public policies aimed at the research, development, and deployment of new energy technologies.

The draft also stresses the need for efforts from funding institutions, multilateral donors, and NGOs to support the energy sector in developing countries, specifically with their development of energy structures and renewable sources. It mentions the importance of including energy issues in the post-2015 development agenda, and seeks to make “universal access to sustainable modern energy services a priority.”

Recognizing the work of the UN Secretary-General’s Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All) initiative, the text expresses support for his efforts to mobilize new financial resources for energy access. It calls on the Secretary-General to promote renewable energy and sustainable practices “in all United Nations facilities around the world,” and requests a report on the implementation of this draft to UNGA 69. [Meeting Summary] [Draft Resolution A/C.2/67/L.52]