ECLAC Executive Secretary José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs participated in the HLPF side event “Global Energy Interconnectivity and Transition for the SDGs”

From July 8th – 18th 2024, the High Level Political Forum (HLPF) took place in New York. This annual event reviews progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda. In this instance, SDG 1 (End Poverty), SDG 10 (Reduce Inequalities), SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 17 (Partnership to Achieve the Goals) were analyzed.

Within the framework of the HLPF, a side event organized by the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO) entitled “Global Energy Interconnectivity and Transition for the SDGs” was held, with the participation of ECLAC Executive Secretary José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs. This event focused on the importance of global energy interconnectivity and the transition to the clean energy to achieve the SDEGs. Strategies to improve energy efficiency, expand the use of renewable energies and promote international cooperation in sustainable energy development were discussed.

During his speech, the Executive Secretary of ECLAC shared his diagnosis of the major challenges and opportunities for Latin America and the Caribbean in the energy transition and sustainable development. He stressed that the region faces three main development traps: low growth capacity, high inequality and low social mobility, and weak institutional capacities. He proposed a major productive transformation and a drive towards sustainability, emphasizing the importance of the gap in access to modern and clean energy services, and of increasing energy efficiency and electrification with renewable energies.

He also emphasized the need for innovative productive development policies and to strengthen governance, investment in infrastructure and long-term energy planning. At the same time, he stressed that energy integration and complementary among the countries of the region are crucial to generate economies of scale and reduce operating costs and investments.

ECLAC’s participation in this HLPF event reaffirms its commitment to accelerating the energy transition to promote sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The forum concluded with a call to action to redouble efforts and strengthen international cooperation in the search for a more just and sustainable future.