¡°Accelerating Energy System Innovation and Transition for Equity and Resilience to Advance Global Sustainable Development¡±
President of ECOSOC,
Ambassador Fu Cong,
Chairman Xin Baoan,
Excellencies,
Dear UN Colleagues,
Distinguished Participants and Guests,
I am pleased to join you for this important high-level event.
I thank the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization, the Permanent Mission of China, UNDP, ESCWA, ESCAP, SEforALL, and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network for convening this timely discussion.
Earlier this week, the High-level Political Forum reviewed SDG 7, recognizing impressive gains but stressing the urgent need for accelerated, collective action to close remaining gaps.
Energy is never just a sectoral issue; it is a foundation for sustainable development. It directly drives progress across the entire 2030 Agenda ¡ªfrom poverty eradication, health, and education to water and sanitation, food systems, industrialization, digitalization and climate resilience.
This demand for integrated delivery was a central message at the recent Global Climate and SDG Synergies Conference. Energy resilience is a critical area in which climate action and sustainable development reinforce each other. For vulnerable countries and communities, achieving this resilience is ultimately a matter of equity and justice.
Today, I would like to emphasize three strategic priorities:
First, innovation must drive and accelerate the implementation of SDG 7. Renewable energy, electrification, energy storage, regional interconnections, smart grids, and digital technologies are changing how energy is generated, transmitted and consumed. We must ensure that these advancements are directed to deliver clean, affordable, reliable and sustainable energy services for all.
Second, the energy transition must safeguard equity and resilience. We must support developing countries in overcoming entrenched barriers related to infrastructure, financing, capacity, and technology, while strengthening resilience against climate, economic, and geopolitical shocks.
Third, partnerships are essential to accelerating progress towards SDG 7. By bringing together partners across sectors and borders, we pool the expertise, resources, and innovation required to anchor implementation, scale up clean energy solutions, and ensure a truly inclusive energy transition.
I applaud today¡¯s focus on energy system innovation, equitable transition and resilience. I also welcome the launch of the Global Energy Interconnection Academy and the release of the Global Electricity Development Index 2026, both of which will contribute to capacity building, evidence-based policymaking and international cooperation.
Let us leverage this HLPF to accelerate action, strengthen partnerships and build the resilient energy systems needed to drive sustainable development and leave no one behind.
Thank you.