Tunisia Hosts 5th International Forum on Energy for Sustainable Development

The five United Nations Regional Commissions namely, the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), and the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), are jointly organizing with the government of Tunisia “The Fifth International Forum on Energy for Sustainable Development", on 4-7 November, in Hammamet, Tunisia. The Executive Secretaries of the Commissions are expected to sign a joint statement that will reaffirm the roles of key stakeholders in promoting sustainable energy policies. The Forum will agree on a regional agenda to attain the three objectives of the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All) Initiative of the UN Secretary-General, i.e.: ensuring universal access to modern energy services; doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency; and doubling the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix by 2030. The Forum comprises a workshop, which will address the long-term environmental impact of energy efficiency in the housing sector as well as discuss how to facilitate the use of appropriate financial mechanisms, legislative framework and policies for the access to sustainable energy, especially to low-income and vulnerable groups. Furthermore, it will focus on case studies and best practices, which can raise awareness on energy efficiency measures in buildings and allow decision makers to embrace innovation, encourage cooperation, and grant citizens a higher quality of life.