Agency Report
This year’s World Government Summit (WGS2019) agenda is focused on how governments can harness innovation and technology to solve universal challenges facing humanity.
One of the Summit’s main areas of focus is the leveraging of knowledge, technology and international cooperation to accelerate the implementation of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Opening WGS2019, UN Deputy-Secretary General Amina J. Mohammed noted that the achievement of the SDGs is not on track.
To overcome these challenges, the Summit convened Global Councils on the SDGs, a unique interdisciplinary network of decision-makers from governments, international organisations, academia and the private sector coming together to share innovative practices and creative solutions needed for the implementation of the SDGs at national and global levels.
As chair of the Global Council on SDG7, the work of IRENA Director-General Adnan Z. Amin supports the development of innovative solutions to harness the potential of renewable energy for energy access.
“SDG7 touches on all SDG areas. Through renewable energy solutions we can provide sustainable, low-cost energy to drive the Agenda 2030 forward,” said Adnan Amin.
Following a dynamic and highly engaged meeting of the Global Council on SDG7, the Council announced a number of new initiatives aimed at shifting SDG implementation into high gear through renewable energy. These include:
- Setting up a collaboration platform for electrification of health centers – aimed at exploring how renewable energy can overcome pressing health gaps.
- Promoting certification schemes for solar PV technicians – focused on expanding training for technicians to meet growing renewable energy demand.
- Exploring a 100% renewable energy pathway – aimed at moving renewable energy penetration far beyond electricity supply into all end use sectors.