The International Forum on Energy for Sustainable Development is a platform that provides context and enables clear-sighted action. The Twelfth Forum (IFESD-12) is organized jointly by the United Nations Regional Commissions in partnership with other international organizations. IFESD-12 will provide an opportunity for collaboration among the organizations of the United Nations system, governments, civil society, financial institutions, the private sector, and academia needed to integrate the responses to immediate challenges with meeting the objectives on sustainable energy. As last year, IFESD-12 will be organized as a series of workshops that will be conducted in a hybrid format (in-person and online participation) between September and November 2022.
In the current geopolitical situation, with rapidly growing energy prices, issues of energy security coming to the fore, challenges of energy affordability becoming ever more pronounced, and climate change solutions losing priority, a global momentum to accelerate a shift towards decarbonised, climate resilient energy systems and universal energy access must be maintained. The world has been undergoing a transformation of energy systems at an unprecedented scale, accelerated by innovations, rapid cost declines for clean technologies, and related policy shifts. New off-grid solutions and business models have been expanding electricity access, while also creating jobs, empowering women and making communities more resilient. These gains for clean, affordable, and modern energy services must not be lost. To decide on specific courses of action for the sustainable energy to pursue, the countries should reflect on the strategic approach on energy. Short-term problems, however important and acute, must not overshadow long-term goals. The Twelfth International Forum on Energy for Sustainable Development (IFESD-12) is an opportunity to reflect on the implications of the current status of energy systems globally and ways to pursue energy resilience and energy sustainability.