2 February 2012: Director-General of the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Chair of UN-Energy Kandeh Yumkella has called on countries across Asia to commit to achieving sustainable energy for all by the year 2030, by increasing access to energy, improving energy efficiency and increasing the use of renewables.

Speaking at the 12th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit, which is convening in New Delhi, India, from 2-4 February 2012, Yumkella highlighted the importance to Asia’s development of new commitments and investments in sustainable energy. He underlined that all countries and all sectors must take action to achieve the goal of sustainable energy for all, explaining that, “Industrialized countries must accelerate the transition to low-emission technologies. Developing countries, many of them growing rapidly and at large scale, have the opportunity to leapfrog conventional energy options and move directly to cleaner energy alternatives that will enhance economic and social development.” Yumkella added that achieving universal access to the benefits of modern energy is both a matter of equity and one of “urgent practical importance.” [UNIDO Press Release]