UN Secretary-General Highlights Significant Commitments to Action in support of Achieving Sustainable Energy for All

Rio de Janeiro – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today highlighted more than one hundred commitments and actions have been already mobilized in support of his Sustainable Energy for All initiative, demonstrating powerful early momentum from governments, private sector companies and civil society organizations to achieve Sustainable Energy for All by 2030.

"Achieving sustainable energy for all is not only possible, but necessary. It is the golden thread that connects development, social inclusion and environmental protection," said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. "This initiative is already mobilizing significant action from all sectors of society. Working together, we can provide solutions that drive economic growth, expand equity and reduce the risks of climate change."

The Sustainable Energy for All initiative brings together governments, businesses and civil society groups in an unprecedented effort to transform the world's energy systems by 2030. The Secretary-General has set three complimentary objectives for the initiative, all to be achieved by 2030: ensure universal access to modern energy services; double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency; and double the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

The Secretary-General leadership was recognized at a reception during the UN Conference on Sustainable Development co-hosted by the Brasilian Ministry of Mines and Energy, Masdar and the United Nations Foundation.

"Brazil has provided leadership in the move towards renewable energy and is proud to serve as a model for other developing economies. We are pleased to join the Secretary-General's initiative to promote sustainable energy for all," said Edison Lobão, Minister of Mines and Energy of Brazil.

"We must continue in our efforts to ensure the sustainable growth of our future. We must work in partnership and combine our resources, and most importantly, we must share our knowledge. As a means to encourage and to connect the cooperation demonstrated here at Rio, and to make sure that sustainable development remains a priority on the global agenda, the United Arab Emirates and Masdar are pleased to announce The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, in January 2013, will act as a platform to advance solutions and explore partnerships aimed at driving the investments required to achieve sustainable development," said Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber UAE Special Envoy for Energy and Climate Change and Chief Executive Officer of Masdar.

Since its launch in September 2011, Sustainable Energy for All has achieved the following:

• More than 50 Governments from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Small Islands Developing States have engaged with the initiative and are developing energy plans and programmes. The majority are from developing countries that have initiated or completed energy sector assessments and gap analyses, thus laying the groundwork to scale up action in priority areas, undertake strategic reforms where needed, and attract new investments and financial support.

• Businesses and investors have committed over USD $50 billion to achieve the initiative's three objectives. Tens of billions of dollars have been committed by other key stakeholders – governments, multilateral development banks, international and civil society organizations – to catalyze action in support of the initiative.

• More than a billion people will benefit from Sustainable Energy for All's public and private sector commitments. Most beneficiaries in developing countries will gain improved access to energy through grid extension and off-grid solutions, as well as scaled-up renewable energy sources, increased investment, and improved energy policies.

• Hundreds of actions and commitments are underway in support of Sustainable Energy for All, supported by businesses, donors, entrepreneurs, organizations, artists, and individual volunteers.

The early success of this initiative stems from its ability to convene key stakeholders and catalyze specific commitments around a "Global Action Agenda," which serves as a roadmap for achieving Sustainable Energy for All. The Action Agenda has identified high impact opportunities that can guide the work of stakeholders across all sectors of the economy.