Experts from around the world came together for a meeting held in preparation for the mid-point review of SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy) at the 2023 UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). Participants acknowledged that access to clean and affordable energy is connected to the entire 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and that its success depends on advances on SDG 7.
Highlighting energy’s definition as “the ability to do work,” the Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) summary report of the meeting notes that it has become increasingly clear that access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy “is indispensable in achieving sustainable development.”
The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and UN-Energy convened the Global Expert Group Meeting, where experts from the UN system, governments, the private sector, academia, and civil society discussed progress made and challenges associated with achieving SDG 7.
An update from Heather Adair-Rohani, Acting Head, Air Quality, Energy, and Health, World Health Organization (WHO), as Chair of the most recent edition of ‘Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report,’ highlighted that “the electricity access rate increased from 84% of the world’s population in 2000 to 91% in 2021.” At the same time, she stressed that “if the current trend continues, about 1.9 billion people will still lack access to clean cooking by 2030.”
Considering “this poor progress lamentable,” experts called for: a specific focus on Africa and clean cooking as the region and target “most off track”; an inclusive, cross-sectoral stakeholder platform to help break down silos; and using the finance available for increasing electricity access to improve access to clean electric cooking, among other recommendations.
During the Meeting, three interactive discussions focused on:
- where the world stands on SDG 7, including opportunities and challenges;
- how we can achieve SDG 7, such as through mobilizing partnerships and taking action; and
- ways to strengthen global cooperation on SDG 7.
The Global Expert Group Meeting convened at UN Headquarters in New York, US, from 11-12 May 2023.
SDG 7 is one of five Goals undergoing in-depth review at the July session of the HLPF, convened under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The other four SDGs are Goals 6 (clean water and sanitation), 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure), 11 (sustainable cities and communities), and 17 (partnerships for the Goals). Taking place under the auspices of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), the HLPF will convene again in September as the SDG Summit to review the state of the SDGs at the mid-point in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. [ENB Coverage of Global Expert Meeting]