Unido, WEC to disseminate sustainable energy solutions

13th September 2017 By: Schalk Burger - Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (Unido) and the World Energy Council (WEC) have signed a joint declaration to support the global dissemination of sustainable energy solutions.

The parties have committed to help develop leadership skills and the overall capacity of energy leaders and policy makers from developing countries; as well as to explore options to promote energy access through global platforms – such as the electrification accelerator within the Sustainable Energy for All initiative.

“Strengthening capacities on energy policies and relevant enabling frameworks is critical to driving the reform of the energy sector in line with the shifting needs of the energy transition,” says WEC secretary general Christoph Frei.

“The energy leaders of tomorrow will need to rely on different skill sets from the energy leaders of the past. By working with global actors such as Unido, as well as leading MBA programmes, we will create a powerful outreach for capacity building and best practices sharing.

“We look forward to working with the WEC to promote sustainable energy solutions by focusing on capacity building and promoting energy access,” says Unido director-general LI Yong.

“We are confident that, through targeted trainings and specialised fellowships, we will help countries design policy instruments that encourage innovation, new business models and a sustainable development of the energy sector,” he added.

The agreement was reached during the World Energy Leaders’ Summit, which was organised by the WEC and the Energy Secretariat of Mexico to facilitate the dialogue on opportunities and challenges influencing the development of the energy sector.