Sustainable Energy for All takes Centre-Stage at Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit
Mahatma Mandir/Gandhinagar, 12 January 2015: The UN’s Sustainable Energy for All initiative is a strategic partner in the 2015 Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, which is bringing together representatives from over 100 countries, including heads of state, chiefs of multilateral institutions, global business leaders, economists, policy makers and investment bankers, at a major biennial event in the western Indian state.
The co-chairs of Sustainable Energy for All, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and World Bank President Jim Kim, are for the first time attending Vibrant Gujarat, where SEforALL is hosting two high-level sessions on “Frontier Technologies to Scale up Integration of Renewables” and “Sustainability through Energy Efficiency”.
Branded as the gateway to India and established by former Gujarat Chief Minister and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Vibrant Gujarat summit originally sought to position Gujarat’s transformation into a global business hub. Today, it is a major opportunity for political and business leaders around the world come together to express their commitment to deeper ties with India.
Addressing what is thought to be the largest gathering yet for the summit, Mr. Ban said: “Gujarat can be a crossroads for a new era of sustainable development: where technology meets climate action; where entrepreneurs meet clean energy; where young people meet job opportunities.”
Underlining the vital importance of the Sustainable Energy for All initiative, he said that the world needed to change course to avoid greater damage to people and the planet, while also recognizing energy as a pre-requisite for socio-economic development.
President Kim said that given India’s abundant natural resources and renewable energy potential, with millions of people still lacking access to energy, electricity and clean fuels, the World Bank was helping the Indian government to meet its ambitious target of using solar power to produce 100,000 megawatts of electricity by 2022.
“We are helping to design the solar parks and farms, grid upgrades, and non-grid solutions to meet this target making power available and accessible,” he said.
Prime Minister Modi said India was keen to work with global leaders on energy and climate change. “Be they issues of poverty or ecology, we want to contribute to the welfare of the global community,” he said.
United States Secretary of State John Kerry, a member of SEforALL’s Advisory Board, spoke of “one enormous cloud” hanging over the global community, requiring great responsibility from leaders.
“Global climate change is already violently affecting communities not just across India but around the world. It is disrupting commerce, development, and economic growth,” he said, calling on the world community to come together to do more and do it fast.
Denmark’s Minister of Trade and International Development, Mogens Jensen, noted the importance of making the right choices on energy policy.
“We must establish the right enabling policy framework. By doing so, we can contribute to creating the right incentives for business to invest in clean and energy efficiency,” he said.
Addressing what is thought to be the largest gathering yet for the summit, Mr. Ban said: “Gujarat can be a crossroads for a new era of sustainable development: where technology meets climate action; where entrepreneurs meet clean energy; where young people meet job opportunities.”
Underlining the vital importance of the Sustainable Energy for All initiative, he said that the world needed to change course to avoid greater damage to people and the planet, while also recognizing energy as a pre-requisite for socio-economic development.
President Kim said that given India’s abundant natural resources and renewable energy potential, with millions of people still lacking access to energy, electricity and clean fuels, the World Bank was helping the Indian government to meet its ambitious target of using solar power to produce 100,000 megawatts of electricity by 2022.
“We are helping to design the solar parks and farms, grid upgrades, and non-grid solutions to meet this target making power available and accessible,” he said.
Prime Minister Modi said India was keen to work with global leaders on energy and climate change. “Be they issues of poverty or ecology, we want to contribute to the welfare of the global community,” he said.
United States Secretary of State John Kerry, a member of SEforALL’s Advisory Board, spoke of “one enormous cloud” hanging over the global community, requiring great responsibility from leaders.
“Global climate change is already violently affecting communities not just across India but around the world. It is disrupting commerce, development, and economic growth,” he said, calling on the world community to come together to do more and do it fast.
Denmark’s Minister of Trade and International Development, Mogens Jensen, noted the importance of making the right choices on energy policy.
“We must establish the right enabling policy framework. By doing so, we can contribute to creating the right incentives for business to invest in clean and energy efficiency,” he said.
Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit Brochures and Program
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