The first annual Sustainable Energy for All Forum is currently underway at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Over one thousand leaders, experts and energy practitioners have gathered to participate, including members of government, business, international organizations and civil society groups. Kandeh Yumkella, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary–General and CEO of the Sustainable Energy for All Initiative, says, “The Forum is shaping up to be a major stepping stone, where we can collectively assess the results of our commitments, spur new efforts and together chart a way forward to achieve our objectives.”

In promoting sustainable energy solutions, the forum will help build towards the UN Climate Change Summit in September, which will focus on solutions to climate challenges. Donald Kaberuka, member of SE4ALL advisory board and president of the African Development Bank, pointed out that Africa has important resources for energy, including renewable resources that, if used in a sustainable manner, could electrify the entire continent, where only 43% of the population has access to electricity.

Among the high-level government representatives joining UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the forum will be President Olafur Grimsson of Iceland and over 20 ministerial-level officials from Brazil, China, Ecuador, Gabon, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Tanzania and other countries, as well as the European Commission.