Excellencies, Distinguished participants,
Ladies and gentlemen,
The theme of this side event explores the issues raised in report of Technical Working Group 3 "Enabling SDGs through Inclusive, Just Energy Transitions".
I congratulate Professor Takeuchi, all other experts, and also the co-lead agencies: UN DESA, UN ESCWA, and WHO, who contributed to this excellent report.
COVID-19 continues to impact the countries of the Asia-Pacific region. As we plan for the post-pandemic era, staying on course for the SDGs and the energy transition is critical.
Climate change actions need to be accelerated or the effects on our climate will be irreversible.
As the region’s economic engine restarts, we cannot return to the high carbon, high pollution, resource intensive model of the past.
The report highlights several important recommendations for stakeholders on how to realise an inclusive and just energy transition.
It recognises the deep relationship that energy has with the economy and environment and how the energy transition can be developed to address inequality, grassroots development and gender issues.
The recommendations of the report fit very well with the report of the Technical Working Group 2 on the Energy Transition being co-led by UN ESCAP, IRENA, and UNEP.
Throughout this highly collaborative effort, the UN agencies, Global Champion Countries, and diverse groups of experts of all five Technical Working Groups have outlined the collective actions necessary in the coming decade that would make a lasting difference for people, planet and prosperity.
It is my hope that the reports are being presented this week at the Thematic Ministerial Forums will help navigate the challenging road ahead.
Collectively, we are convinced that the High-level Dialogue on Energy to be convened by the United Nations Secretary-General in September 2021 will be a turning point, re-igniting ambitions and boosting collaborative actions for a better future for all.
Excellencies,
At the regional level, we have been emphasising these messages though our work on SDG7 and broader regional cooperation efforts.
We have highlighted the need for a green recovery which that places investments supporting the SDGs at the center of recovery plans.
At our recent Commission Session, we outlined a four-point agenda to assist countries of the region set their recovery on track: broadening social protection; investing in a sustained recovery; strengthening connectivity and supply chains; and mending a broken relationship with nature.
I look forward to learning more from the perspectives of the experts invited to this event.
Thank you.
