UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday called for more commitments to achieving sustainable energy for all, calling it "the biggest opportunity of the 21st century" that will not only help transform the world's energy systems but also the lives of billions of people.
"Providing sustainable energy for all could be the biggest opportunity of the 21st century," Ban told a high level meeting on Sustainable Energy for All Initiative, which he launched last September with the aim of providing universal energy access, doubling the rate of global energy efficiency improvement, and doubling the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
According to the UN chief, sustainable energy for all is the answer to some of the key challenges of our time, such as energy poverty, inequality and environmental risks.
"Sustainable energy is the golden thread that connects economic growth, social equity, and a climate and environment that enables the world to thrive. This initiative is bringing together governments, the private sector, and civil society in a partnership that's delivering real results," he said.
At the high-level event held on the margins of the UN General Assembly, Ban announced two appointments to the Sustainable Energy for All Initiative as "new elements to strengthen this initiative".
The secretary-general confirmed that he had asked Kandeh Yumkella, currently the Director-General of the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Chair of the umbrella group known as UN-Energy, to serve as his Special Representative for Sustainable Energy for All.
In addition, Ban announced that he had invited the president of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim, to serve with him as co-chair of the initiative's newly formed Advisory Board. The Board will provide strategic guidance to the work of the initiative. Its members, who will be announced soon, will be drawn from the private sector, civil society and governments that have shown exceptional leadership.
The secretary-general also announced the creation of an Executive Committee, to be chaired by Chairman of the Bank of America, Chad Holliday, which will provide operational oversight for the work of the chief executive. As well, a global support team will be established to strengthen coordination among various partners.
"We are not establishing a new institution, but rather, building on what already exists and works well," Ban told the event. With these new elements, "Sustainable Energy for All is poised to draw in new partners and become a global network that can help transform the world's energy systems and the lives of billions of people."
He said that the initiative aims to provide more than one billion people with access to modern energy services during its lifespan.
"This is how Sustainable Energy for All will be measured by children newly able to study after dark, mothers breathing healthy air, doctors caring for the sick night and day, businesses seeing new prosperity, a cleaner environment and a path that will help us to avoid the catastrophe of climate change,." he added.
The UN General Assembly has claimed 2012 the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All.
