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Major UN Energy Forum in Kyiv to accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goals

Countries choose different pathways to meet commitments they have made under the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Climate Agreement, as national circumstances vary significantly. Analysis of the progress to date shows that much greater effort is needed, including much bolder policy commitments, substantial financing, and a willingness to embrace the range of technology solutions on a wide scale. Countries’ choices are made in the broader context of their economies as a whole and can be expected to be economically and socially rational, targeting quality of life and not just access to affordable, modern, and clean energy.


The Ninth International Forum on Energy for Sustainable Development to be held in Kyiv on 12-15 November 2018 is an opportunity to reflect on the implications of accelerating and re-directing change. The objective of the Ninth Forum is to explore measures to close the gaps between action and ambition. Emphasis is given to the resilience of energy infrastructure and approaches in the context of a circular economy to improve resource efficiency. The Forum focuses on disruptive drivers that are at play, and how they can be used favorably to shape energy for sustainable development.


The Forum is jointly organized by the Government of Ukraine and the United Nations Regional Commissions in partnership with a broad range of international and academic organizations. Over 500 participants, including international energy experts, government officials, representatives from the business community, financial sector, academia and civil society will share perspectives on how sustainable energy systems can be designed and implemented. It will provide a unique opportunity for policymakers and experts to reflect on the implications of the fast-paced energy transition that has become the new normal, review the activities to date and to make further progress towards meeting the sustainable development goals.


The Ninth Forum combines a high-level policy dialogue at the Ministerial Conference on the first day with plenary sessions and parallel workshops over four days. The workshops are organized in four main tracks:


  • Energy transition and decarbonization
  • Robust systems and infrastructure
  • Matchmaking and investor confidence
  • Hot topics and deep dives

The Forum and its Ministerial Conference are expected to adopt the Outcome Document on Achieving Energy for Sustainable Development, highlighting the following key messages:


1.   Without deep transformation of the energy sector, which is as an enabler for improving quality of life and has critical links to other sectors such as water, climate, health, and agriculture, attainment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is at risk.


2.  Coherent policies and enabling environments must be in place to mobilize necessary investments, as the current political, regulatory, and industrial infrastructure is not ready for deep transformation.


3.  It is imperative to address the environmental footprint of fossil fuels and accelerate improvement of energy efficiency and the deployment of renewable energy.


Forum materials are available at: http://www.unece.org/index.php?id=49144 and https://energyforum.org.ua/

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