17 October 2008: Noeleen Heyzer, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), gave a presentation at a discussion entitled “Securing Asia’s Energy Future” held by the Asia Society, in New York, US, on 16 October.

She underlined the need for increased political will across the Asia-Pacific region to switch to a “virtuous cycle of sustainable energy” that helps the most vulnerable. She explained that such a cycle would entail: emphasizing quality over quantity of economic growth; increasing reliance on renewable energy; and taking action to mitigate climate change. [ESCAP Press Release]