The aim of this event was to highlight the current status and actions being taken by UN system organizations and other leading partners in support of Sustainable Development Goal 7 implementation, as well as interlinkages between energy and other goals. Representatives from around 20 UN system entities, funds and programmes participated in the discussions. Main findings from the Secretary-General’s Progress Report on SDGs and the recent expert group meetings of UNEnergy were presented to provide the context for interactive discussions during the event.

The event was hosted by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) in cooperation with UN-Energy. It featured four separate interactive discussions, each focusing on the contributions of the UN system and its partners towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7. Each session also looked at what actions will be needed in order to continue to advance towards the overall goal and how the UN system can support this momentum.

Opening session
Mr. Gyan Chandra Acharya, Under-Secretary-General, UN-OHRLLS
Mr. Jamil Ahmad, Deputy-Director of the New York Office, UNEP
Perspectives from UN system: Reflections from the recent UN-Energy expert group meetings
Mr. Ivan Vera, Secretary of UN-Energy

Session 1: Universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services
Moderator:
Mr. Malcolm Cosgrove-Davies, Global Lead for Energy Access, World Bank
Speakers:
Mr. Marcel Alers, Head of Energy, UNDP
Mr. Werner H Obermeyer, Deputy Executive Director, WHO Office at the United Nations
Discussion

Session 2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
Moderator:
Ms. Yera Ortiz de Urbina, Senior Liaison Officer, IRENA
Speakers:
Mr. Michael Williamson, Head of Office, Office of the Executive Secretary, ESCAP
Ms. Angelica Shamerina, Program Advisor (Climate Change) and Regional Focal Point (Latin America and Caribbean), GEF Small Grants Programme, UNDP
Discussion

Session 3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
Moderator:
Ms. Sara Pasquier, Energy Efficiency Programme Manager, IEA
Speakers:
Mr. Pradeep Monga, Director, Energy and Climate Change, UNIDO
Ms. Yamina Djacta, Director of UN-Habitat New York office
Discussion

Session 4: Nexus between energy and other SDGs
Moderator:
Ms. Roula Majdalani, Director, Sustainable Development and Productivity Division, ESCWA
Speakers:
Mr. Alex Heikens, Senior Adviser on Climate and Environment, UNICEF
Mr. Paul Quigley, Energy Expert, UNHCR
Discussion

Closing Session
Mr. Christian Friis Bach, Executive Secretary, UNECE