Thirteenth International Forum on Energy for Sustainable Development
Joint Statement on Energy Transition
Issued by the Executive Secretaries of the United Nations Regional Commissions
As the Thirteenth International Forum on Energy for Sustainable Development concludes successfully in Bangkok, we, the Executive Secretaries of the five United Nations Regional Commissions — ECA, ECE, ECLAC, ESCAP, and ESCWA — issue this joint statement on accelerated progress towards a just, sustainable and equitable global energy transition.
The regular meetings of the International Forum on Energy for Sustainable Development, led by the United Nations Regional Commissions, play a crucial role in advancing the energy transition by offering a collaborative platform to share best practices, align regional strategies and drive coordinated action toward global energy goals. These gatherings unite diverse stakeholders to address challenges and promote actionable solutions for sustainable energy development.
This year, the Forum builds on the outcomes of the EnergyNow SDG 7 Action Forum which was held in New York in September 2024 to mark the completion of the UN Decade for Sustainable Energy for All, 2014-2024, while also leveraging the outcomes of the recently concluded UNFCCC COP29 in Baku.
We underscore our shared commitment to supporting member States in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 7 on affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all, as well as meeting the commitments under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. With growing global challenges related to climate change, energy security, and socioeconomic inequalities, the urgency for a rapid and inclusive shift to sustainable energy systems is more critical than ever. Recent geopolitical, economic, and environmental disruptions highlight the pressing need for stronger cooperation, strategic policy development, and decisive action.
By joining forces and amplifying regional perspectives, we strengthen our collective voice to influence global actions. This unified approach ensures that regional insights, experiences, and priorities contribute meaningfully to shaping international energy policies and strategies, driving progress toward a sustainable and inclusive energy future.
The energy transition is imperative for achieving a more prosperous and sustainable world. The United Nations Regional Commissions are committed to serving as catalysts for this transformation by supporting their member States in aligning national efforts with global aspirations.
We commit to supporting our member States in accelerating progress and delivering impactful outcomes in the following areas:
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Strengthening regional and inter-regional cooperation and policy coherence:
Encourage member States to implement harmonized policy measures that facilitate cross-border energy connectivity and trade. Foster inter-regional collaboration to align energy transitions with shared climate goals, ensuring that countries work together on emissions reduction, technology sharing, investment and joint financing initiatives for clean energy projects. Promote regional programmes and projects that demonstrate impactful energy transition models adaptable across regions.
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Ensuring a just energy transition:
Support member States in forward-thinking for a regional just energy transition roadmaps that integrate sustainability, resilience, equity and inclusivity into their core principles. Encourage member States to implement energy policies and strategies aimed at further expanding energy access to leave no one behind. Equip local leaders and organizations with the necessary tools and knowledge to drive energy transition efforts that align with national and regional priorities, and global targets.
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Accelerating the deployment of renewable energy:
Support the rapid expansion of renewable energy, aiming to triple the global renewable capacity within the next six years. Through regional partnerships, financing models, , and advisory and technical support on fast-tracking SDG7 goals, we are committed to support member States scale up renewable energy generation.
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Enhancing energy efficiency across sectors:
Strengthen energy efficiency efforts across all sectors by promoting policies, technological advancements, and best practices that contribute to doubling energy efficiency rates globally by 2030. Encourage adherence to energy efficiency standards across industrial, commercial, and residential sectors.
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Ensuring viable, equitable and inclusive access:
Mobilize resources and policy support to ensure underserved communities gain access to clean and modern energy solutions through enabling mechanisms. We commit to empowering women through targeted initiatives that enhance their participation in decision-making.
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Fostering sustainable investment and financing mechanisms:
Develop and promote financing instruments such as green bonds, blended finance, and public-private partnerships to attract substantial investment in sustainable energy projects. Urge multilateral development banks, donors, and private stakeholders to bolster their commitments to finance clean energy transitions in developing and least developed countries.
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Align energy goals with climate action:
Support countries in integrating ambitious SDG 7 targets within their NDCs, emphasizing clean energy development as the central component of climate action strategies. Encourage countries to embed climate considerations within energy policies, ensuring that the energy sector contributes to decarbonization efforts.
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Leverage just energy transition for value addition and inclusive development
Operationalize the principles and actionable recommendations of the Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, supporting member States in developing policies, partnerships and value chains within energy transition to ensure a just and inclusive use of these resources that benefits mineral producing communities, countries and regions.
We further commit to advancing actions in the following areas:
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Empower youth participation in regional dialogues by involving young people and youth-led and youth-focused organizations in the work of the United Nations at the regional level.
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Support UN-Energy's pivotal work in mobilizing international efforts, building partnerships, and scaling up finance to achieve SDG 7 and address interlinkages with other SDGs.
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Strengthen collaboration with UN country teams to drive impactful energy solutions at the national level. Ensure that UN country teams have access to regional insights, best practices, and technical support to advance SDG 7 at the national level and to adapt global and regional energy transition targets to local contexts.
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Produce and share analytical reports that highlight regional insights and data-driven solutions aimed at guiding energy policies and actions. Foster platforms for sharing best practices, data, and experiences across regions to accelerate learning and innovation.
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Ensure a robust regional preparatory process for the 2026 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in-depth review of SDG 7. This process will engage diverse stakeholders, consolidate regional insights, and present actionable solutions to accelerate SDG 7 action in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
Signed by the Executive Secretaries of the United Nations Regional Commissions
Claver Gatete
Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa
Tatiana Molcean
Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Europe
José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs
Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana
Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
Rola Dashti
Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia