UN Conference Discusses Progress on SDG 7
On February 23, the UN has concluded a Global Conference meant to inform the review, during the July 2018 meeting of the High-level Political Forum (HLPF), of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7 - affordable and clean energy). The Conference brought together stakeholders to exchange lessons learned and to identify gaps and challenges to the achievement of SDG 7.
The Conference focused on four key areas: 1) trends and gaps towards the achievement of SDG 7; 2) interlinkages between SDG 7 and other SDGs; 3) means of implementation, including finance, capacity building and innovation; and 4) areas of opportunities for action by policy makers and all stakeholders in support of the 2030 Agenda. It also served as a platform to align development efforts among stakeholders, and across sectors and regions in support of sustainable energy and the 2030 Agenda.
Several reports released on the occasion of the Conference highlighted headway that has been made in increasing global energy access, reporting that the number of people now connected to basic electricity services has increased from 73% in 1990 to 85% today. It also noted the need for sustained political will and increased finance to, by 2030, extend affordable, clean energy to the 1.2 billion people still without electricity access.
The Conference featured a ‘SDG 7 Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Exchange’ also meant to feed into the upcoming HLPF review. This initiative promoted experience sharing and served as a launch pad for new stakeholder commitments and collaborations, in support of the achievement of SDG 7. The Exchange emphasized initiatives that demonstrated concrete interlinkages between SDG 7 and the other Goals.
For more information:
Documentation about the conference
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