8 February 2012: The Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), Practical Action and the UN Foundation co-convened a high-level conference, hosted by the European Parliament, to mark the European launch of the International Year of SE4ALL. Speaking at the event, Kandeh Yumkella, Chair of UN-Energy and Co-Chair of the High-level Group on SE4ALL, highlighted the approval by the High-level Group on SE4ALL of a “Framework for Action” that will assist countries in meeting the Initiative’s three objectives by 2030.

Yumkella underlined that the Framework will enable governments, business and the civil society to make “specific commitments to action which will drive progress from the boardroom to the smallest village,” enabling the global attainment of sustainable energy for all by 2030.

At the conference, Yumkella also lauded the EU’s long-term vision on renewables and energy efficiency, calling for the examples set out by the EU to be replicated in other regions. He further commended the EU for passing a resolution on the need to achieve universal energy access, and for making energy one of the three thematic priorities of the Union’s “Agenda for Change.”

Also speaking at the event, Andris Piebalgs, European Commissioner for Development, called for partnerships with industry, academia and partner countries to foster global sustainable energy for all by 2030. He further highlighted an EU-Africa partnership that has provided energy access to 13 million people. [SEI Press Release] [Increasing the impact of EU Development Policy: EU’s Agenda for Change] [SE4ALL Press Release]