“Democratization of Energy should be the sign of our times” – said President Bachelet at launch of the UN Decade of Sustainable Energy for All for Latin America and the Caribbean Region
SANTIAGO/VIENNA, 15 October 2014: Under-Secretary-General Kandeh K. Yumkella, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and chief executive of the initiative, today launched the United Nations Decade on Sustainable Energy for All in Santiago de Chile in partnership with the Ministry of Energy, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
Hosted under the patronage of Her Excellency Ms. Michele Bachelet, President of the Republic of Chile, a strong supporter of the initiative from her days as Executive Director of UN Women, the launch is part of efforts by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to underscore the importance of energy issues for sustainable development and for the elaboration of the post-2015 development agenda.
Speaking on behalf of the initiative’s advisory board co-chairs, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and World Bank President, Dr. Jim Yong Kim, Mr. Yumkella noted the support of President Bachelet and Alicia Barcena, Executive Secretary of ECLAC in emphasizing the importance of energy for women, for economic growth and development and for Latin America as a region. “They were both there when we began the discourse about embedding energy in the post -2015 development agenda.”
Sustainable Energy for All, emphasized Yumkella, is about “providing and securing affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for all in addition to doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency and double the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix by 2030.”
Noting that Latin America has only 30 million people living in energy poverty compared to Africa where there are 600 million and 350 million people in India without access to modern energy services, Yumkella commended Latin America for their efforts and encouraged them to bring the remaining 30 million out of darkness. “I am very hopeful that this can happen and Sustainable Energy for All, stand ready to work with and support you in making this a reality,” said Yumkella. “It is unacceptable that in the 21st century, 1.4 billion people globally are without access to electricity, 2.7 billion using charcoal, firewood, bio mass for their primary energy source.
For her part, President Bachelet noted that her government’s commitment to providing “every citizen with access to clean, reliable, affordable energy. Sustainable energy for All opens opportunities for development and as a government, one of our goals is to reduce by 50 percent the number of families living without access to electricity. We will do so by working with communities to ensure that our 10, 000 families living in isolated areas have access to electricity, said President Bachelet. “Democratization of energy should be the sign of our times,” she stated emphatically.
Hans Schulz, Vice President at the IDB informed all gathered that the bank is on track to meeting the commitment they made during the Rio + 20 conference in 2012. Specifically, he mentioned that the bank is poised to allocating five billion over five years to finance sustainable energy projects.
Executive Secretary Barcena noted ECLAC’s sustainable development agenda including boosting energy savings and efficiency, promoting energy access, energy security and diversifying the region’s energy mix.
The launch which brought together regional energy ministers, the private sector and civil society underscores the unique partnership that the initiative works with to ensure that the 34 million people in the region and others around the world have access to reliable, affordable and clean energy services to ensure they thrive economically and be able to manage their lives.
Access to electricity, particularly from clean energy resources, and to improved cook-stoves can have tremendous impacts on the environment and the socio-economic situation of people. It provides the opportunity for income-generating activities, improves conditions for students and reduces the strains on environment, especially through the reduction of GHG emissions and indoor air pollution.
The SEforALL Initiative has generated significant momentum since its launch. More than 75 countries have chosen to pursue the initiative’s objectives, from small island states to large emerging economies. Governments, the private sector, and multilateral institutions alike are mobilizing resources in support of the initiative.
Special recognition was given to Antonio Molpeceres, UNDP Country Representative and UN Resident Representative for his outstanding role in moderating the entire launch among other key activities and the continued partnership between UNDP and SEforALL in making energy central to the post 2015 development debate.
Download The Summary Here (21/10/14)
Descarga El Resumen Aquí (21/10/14)
For her part, President Bachelet noted that her government’s commitment to providing “every citizen with access to clean, reliable, affordable energy. Sustainable energy for All opens opportunities for development and as a government, one of our goals is to reduce by 50 percent the number of families living without access to electricity. We will do so by working with communities to ensure that our 10, 000 families living in isolated areas have access to electricity, said President Bachelet. “Democratization of energy should be the sign of our times,” she stated emphatically.
Hans Schulz, Vice President at the IDB informed all gathered that the bank is on track to meeting the commitment they made during the Rio + 20 conference in 2012. Specifically, he mentioned that the bank is poised to allocating five billion over five years to finance sustainable energy projects.
Executive Secretary Barcena noted ECLAC’s sustainable development agenda including boosting energy savings and efficiency, promoting energy access, energy security and diversifying the region’s energy mix.
The launch which brought together regional energy ministers, the private sector and civil society underscores the unique partnership that the initiative works with to ensure that the 34 million people in the region and others around the world have access to reliable, affordable and clean energy services to ensure they thrive economically and be able to manage their lives.
Access to electricity, particularly from clean energy resources, and to improved cook-stoves can have tremendous impacts on the environment and the socio-economic situation of people. It provides the opportunity for income-generating activities, improves conditions for students and reduces the strains on environment, especially through the reduction of GHG emissions and indoor air pollution.
The SEforALL Initiative has generated significant momentum since its launch. More than 75 countries have chosen to pursue the initiative’s objectives, from small island states to large emerging economies. Governments, the private sector, and multilateral institutions alike are mobilizing resources in support of the initiative.
Special recognition was given to Antonio Molpeceres, UNDP Country Representative and UN Resident Representative for his outstanding role in moderating the entire launch among other key activities and the continued partnership between UNDP and SEforALL in making energy central to the post 2015 development debate.
Download The Summary Here (21/10/14)
Descarga El Resumen Aquí (21/10/14)
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