Urgent Call for Action at SEforALL Global Forum
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed delivered a powerful message at the SEforALL Global Forum 2025 in Bridgetown, Barbados, emphasizing the critical need for sustainable energy solutions. As the world marks the tenth anniversary of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement, she highlighted the ongoing challenges in achieving energy equity and security. With fossil fuel emissions on the rise and many still lacking access to clean energy, Mohammed urged global leaders to act decisively to close the energy access gap by 2030.
Decade of Progress, Yet Challenges Persist
This year marks a significant milestone, celebrating ten years since the establishment of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement. Despite some advancements, the global community remains far from meeting its energy targets. Amina Mohammed pointed out that fossil fuel emissions continue to escalate, while investments in renewable energy in developing nations fall short. Alarmingly, a substantial number of individuals still do not have access to clean and affordable energy sources.
Central to these challenges is Sustainable Development Goal 7, which aims to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy. Achieving this goal is crucial for meeting broader climate and development objectives. However, obstacles such as limited access to affordable financing, severe debt distress, and high capital costs hinder progress. Mohammed stressed that while the challenges are daunting, viable solutions are within reach.
Pathways to Sustainable Energy Solutions
During her address, Mohammed outlined several pathways to overcome the existing barriers to sustainable energy. She emphasized the need to reform the international financial architecture and create coherent policy and regulatory frameworks. Updating risk assessments to account for climate risks and leveraging innovative financing mechanisms are essential steps to unlock capital at scale.
This year’s forum is particularly noteworthy as it is the first time it is being held in the Caribbean, a region that exemplifies both the opportunities and challenges of energy transitions. While electricity access is nearly universal in the Caribbean, there remains a heavy reliance on costly and polluting fossil fuel imports. Barbados, the host nation, is setting a commendable example with its ambitious goal of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2030. Mohammed called for similar levels of ambition worldwide to foster a just and sustainable energy future.
Three Guiding Principles for Collective Action
As discussions unfold at the forum, Mohammed urged participants to focus on three guiding principles: collaboration, creativity, and coherence. She stressed that collaboration among various stakeholders—government ministries, state and non-state actors, and development banks—is vital for making meaningful progress. This collaborative approach should also involve UN Resident Coordinators to ensure alignment with national priorities and accelerate implementation on the ground.
Creativity is essential to navigate the complexities of diverse energy challenges. Different countries will require tailored solutions, whether modernizing utility-scale grids to integrate renewables or expanding decentralized renewable systems. Innovation will be key to unlocking effective solutions that cater to various contexts.
Finally, coherence between national energy strategies, development priorities, and climate ambitions is crucial. Actions to accelerate SDG 7 must align with the transition away from fossil fuels. National climate plans and Nationally Determined Contributions, which are due before COP30 in Brazil, should serve as roadmaps for transforming economies and societies to be resilient and aligned with the 1.5°C target.
Time for Action is Now
The United Nations stands ready to support these principles and turn them into actionable outcomes. Mohammed concluded her address by emphasizing the urgency of the moment. The window for action is closing, and the time to transform commitments into tangible results is now. A cleaner, fairer, and more resilient energy future is attainable, but it requires collective effort and determination. As global leaders engage in these critical discussions, the call to rise to the challenge and make a lasting impact has never been more pressing.
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