Next City Event: The Challenges of Implementing Sustainable Energy for All at the Global and Local Levels

Energy is essential for economic and social development. Yet it is estimated that over 1.3 billion people lack access to electricity and 3 billion people still rely on the use of traditional biomass, coal or charcoal for cooking and heating. These figures pose an enormous challenge for development, the environment and, in particular, for sustainable development.

With that in mind, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization’s Sustainable Energy Fund will host a presentation by Dr. Minoru Takada, UN senior policy advisor on energy strategic planning unit, on the topic, followed by a panel discussion and audience Q&A with experts including Minoru Takada; Ambassador Carsten Staur, permanent representative of Denmark to the UN; Dr. Robert F. Ichord Jr., deputy assistant secretary, Bureau of Energy Resources (ENR), U.S. Department of State; Dr. Mark Alan Hughes, distinguished senior fellow at the University of Pennsylvania; Ms. Veerle Vandeweerd, directo of the Environment & Energy Group, United Nations Development Programme; Mr. Vatsal Bhatt, research engineer and energy policy analyst, Brookhaven National Laboratory; Mr. Andrew Stein, chairman of the Sustainable Energy Fund. Moderating will be Dr. George Assaf, director and UNIDO representative to the United Nations.