At the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, world leaders revealed new initiatives aimed at eradicating energy poverty while driving sustainable energy solutions. The event, hosted by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) in partnership with Africa50 and Enel Corporation, emphasized the global push towards a fair energy transition that addresses both energy poverty and climate change.
The “Raising Ambition on SDG7” event highlighted tested solutions for achieving a just and equitable energy transition. Two key global initiatives were showcased, focusing on mobilizing finance and distributing renewable energy as critical strategies for ending energy poverty, ensuring that developing nations can transform their energy systems sustainably.
Prominent global figures such as the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J. Mohammed; Senegal’s Minister of Energy, Birame Soulèye Diop; Brazil’s Secretary for Climate, Energy, and Environment, Ambassador André Aranha Corrêa do Lago; and SEforALL CEO, Damilola Ogunbiyi, called for increased investment and action in sustainable energy projects worldwide.
Corrêa do Lago announced the SEforALL Global Forum, which will take place in Barbados from March 12-13, 2025, and will serve as a key milestone ahead of COP30. He also emphasized Brazil’s role in advancing voluntary principles for a fair energy transition, which was captured in the G20 Just Energy Transition Compact and marked a significant step towards inclusive energy reform.
In partnership with the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank, SEforALL is part of “Mission 300,” an initiative that aims to provide electricity to 300 million people in Africa by 2030. Targeted investments and scalable solutions will be deployed in underserved regions to bridge the gap in energy access.
Next week, the focus will shift to Africa as SEforALL co-hosts the G20-Africa Ministerial on October 3. This meeting aims to strengthen collaboration between the G20 and Africa, with the goal of securing financing to support the continent’s energy transition in a fair and equitable manner.
