Excellency Mr. HAN Zheng, Vice Premier,
Excellency Mr. ZHANG Jianhua, Administrator of the National Energy Administration of China
Excellencies, Distinguished participants, Ladies and gentlemen,
It is my pleasure to join you at this second Belt and Road Energy Ministerial Conference.
This conference is coming at the same time as several milestones in global cooperation in climate change and sustainable energy transition.
The High-level Dialogue on Energy, convened by the United Nations Secretary-General at the summit level on 24 September 2021 under the auspicious of the UN General Assembly, saw more than $400 billion in new finance and investment committed by governments and the private sector towards affordable and clean energy.
Energy Compacts – voluntary commitments to realize the SDG 7 targets – were signed by more than 35 countries.
The Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the dual imperative in the energy sector – to address energy poverty and tackle climate change.
In this context, Secretary-General noted four priorities –
- closing the energy access gap by 2030;
- shifting rapidly to decarbonized energy;
- mobilizing finance and technology transfer; and
- ensuring a fair, inclusive and equitable energy transition.
The upcoming UN Climate Conference COP26 under the theme “Uniting the World to Tackle Climate Change” in Glasgow could be a breakthrough for taking concrete actions and promoting ambitious solutions.
COP 26 is a critical moment for countries to commit to reaching net zero by 2050, mobilize the $100 billion annual target for climate finance and finalize the Paris Agreement rulebook.
Excellencies,
At the regional level, ESCAP has added its voice to advocate increased ambition on reaching the targets set out under SDG 7 and the Paris Agreement.
We are helping countries develop roadmaps to guide them on the path to achieving SDG 7.
We are also working with member States on energy connectivity to develop a regional approach for power grid integration to enhance the development of renewable energy and strengthen the security and affordability of the electricity supply.
We are encouraged by many countries in the region that have demonstrated climate and energy leadership on the global stage.
China, Japan and the Republic of Korea have committed to carbon neutrality by 2050 or 2060.
I welcome the announcement of President Xi Jinping at the 76th session of the General Assembly of no new coal-fired power projects abroad.
By tapping into these countries’ vast clean energy technology and policy experience, participating countries can enhance their own sustainable energy and carbon mitigation ambitions.
This is the challenge before us and ESCAP is committed to working with you and development partners in these efforts.
We must come together and strengthen solidarity for an inclusive, resilient and sustainable future for all.
Thank you very much
