The objective of the conference is to accelerate progress towards the goal of providing energy access for all. The conference will explore financing mechanisms and supporting policies for increased energy access for the poor in the context of a more sustainable energy future. It will be a stepping stone towards the COP17 Summit in Durban and the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio 2012) in June next year. The conference will build on the conclusions of the UN Advisory Group on Energy and Climate Change. The International Energy Agency estimates that 2.6 billion people, nearly a third of the worlds population, lack access to modern energy, and at least 1.4 billion people have no access to electricity whatsoever. In order to achieve universal access to energy services by 2030, additional investments of USD 36 billion will be required according to the IEA. Investmest have so far been significantly below this level.
The conference will bring together governments, international organisations, finance institutions and the private sector. It will provide an opportunity for all these players to discuss best practice in policy design and implementation for increasing energy access. They will also be able to present practical steps that have been taken to attract private investment in energy and climate financing.
The conference is being co-organised with the IEA. High-level participants are invited to attend the first day, which will focus on how to unlock progress towards global energy access and global development goals. The second day will focus on concrete measures for financing access to energy for all.
For more information on the conference, please see the conference website: http://www.osloenergyforall2011.no