Ministerial energy conference adopts declaration to accelerate global transition to sustainable energy

Ministers and high-level officials from 85 countries sent a strong signal in a statement adopted at the Ministerial Conference held in Astana, Kazakhstan, on 11 June 2017, under the theme ‘Meeting the Challenge of Sustainable Energy.’

Seven voluntary actions in the Ministerial Declaration outline ways to accelerate the transition to a sustainable energy system, from establishing national sustainable energy action plans aligned with future energy needs, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement; take note of Kazakhstan’s initiative to establish an international center for green technology and investment ‘Future Energy’ in Astana; support the development and dissemination of internationally-recognized minimum energy performance standards in all sectors; and pledge to participate on a voluntary basis in the development of methods for public data collection, and the gathering and dissemination of data and indicators on energy for sustainable development.

The Ministers also commit to: participate in international dialogue on technology and energy policy; and promote access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

The Ministerial Statement recognizes that energy is “the golden thread that weaves throughout the 2030 Agenda,” and contributes to the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7 (affordable and clean energy) and 13 (climate action).

Read the Ministerial Statement: Access to Affordable, Reliable, Sustainable and Modern Energy and the ESCAP Press Release on Ministerial Statement