March 15: Closing energy access gaps to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) requires strong collaborations and partnerships, a United Nations official has said.    

Damilola Ogunbiyi, the special representative of the UN secretary-general for Sustainable Energy for All, addressed the Transforming Energy Access Forum 2024 in Kigali, Rwanda's capital, Wednesday, saying the power of partnerships between the private and public sectors holds the key to bridging energy access gaps and attaining SDG7.    

SDG7, established by the UN General Assembly in 2015, is one of 17 Sustainable Development Goals aiming to "ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all" by 2030.    

Ogunbiyi highlighted the significance of prioritizing decentralized renewable energy, emphasizing local investment, supporting local manufacturing, advocating for universal energy accessibility, and underscoring the critical role of powering healthcare.    

Speaking at the event, Rwandan Minister of Infrastructure Jimmy Gasore emphasized Kigali's commitment to achieving 100 percent energy access by 2024. "Rwanda is committed to achieving energy access for all, putting in place various energy access initiatives and adopting renewable energy resources are key to achieving SDG7," he said.    

The forum, running through Thursday, is dedicated to advancing an inclusive clean energy transition in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and the Indo-Pacific region.    

The event aims to address the challenges outlined in the UN's SDG midpoint review, emphasizing the need for accelerated progress in achieving SDG7, organizers said.    

Topics explored at the forum include energy storage, mini-grid market enablement, innovative finance mechanisms, sustainable cooling, and ensuring inclusivity in clean-energy innovation. – Xinhua/RSS