In Paris, OECD Secretary-General pledges support for SEforALL Initiative

PARIS, 4 March 2014: Angel Gurría, Secretary-General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), today welcomed Kandeh K. Yumkella in his capacity as UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Sustainable Energy for All and CEO of the Vienna-based initiative at his Château de la Muette, Paris headquarters, to discuss his organization’s support for the initiative. On the occasion of his visit, Mr. Gurría underscored his organization’s interest in SEforALL and its three objectives including ensuring universal access to modern energy services, doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency and doubling the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. He also expressed OECD’s interest in the nexus agenda of energy, water and food security. “Count on us …we support SEforALL and we believe in the central role of energy,” he said. “Esta casa es su casa,” he continued. In a publication titled OECD- POST-2015 Reflections, the organization states its support for “the inclusion of sustainable energy as an element of the post-2015 agenda, including a focus on expanding energy access, energy efficiency and share of renewable energy whilst incorporating the development and investment financing perspectives on the energy agenda.” For his part, Mr. Yumkella expressed his gratitude for the bilateral meeting and updated Mr. Gurría on how far the initiative has come since he took over as CEO in July 2013, activities underway for the UN Decade of Sustainable Energy for All among other highlights. Photo Credit: Anthony Kamara | SEforALL