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Secretary-General's Message

Clean energy is the gift that keeps giving:

It can purify polluted air;

Meet growing energy demand;

Secure supplies;

And connect billion of people to affordable power ¨C helping to ensure electricity access to all by 2030.

That is all while saving money and saving the planet.

A fair, just, equitable, and urgent transition from dirty fossil fuels to clean energy is essential to avoid the worst of climate chaos and spur sustainable development.

So, I celebrate this first International Day of Clean Energy;

I applaud the work of the International Renewable Energy Agency;

And I welcome the call made by countries at COP28 to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030.

It is my firm belief that fossil fuel phase out is not only necessary, it is inevitable.

But we need governments to act, to accelerate the transition, with the biggest emitters leading the way.

That means unleashing a surge in climate finance ¨C particularly, governments reforming the business model of multilateral development banks so that affordable finance flows.

It means countries creating new national climate plans by 2025 that map a fair and just transition to clean power.

And it means governments closing the door on the fossil fuel era ¨C with justice and equity.

Our clean energy future is unstoppable.

Together, let¡¯s bring it into being faster.

Thank you.

Ant¨®nio Guterres

Remarks by President of the General Assembly, H.E. Dennis Francis

The first observance of the International Day of Clean Energy is a momentous occasion.

It is a moment to recognize the sad reality that 675 million people around the world still live without electricity. That 2.3 billion still rely on wood and dung for cooking.

We cannot, morally, environmentally, economically, or otherwise not to usher in a clean energy world, not to reach net-zero emissions.

Now is the time to accelerate progress toward universal energy access and net-zero emissions;

Now is the time for a just, inclusive, and equitable energy transition away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy; this is the key to limiting temperature rise to 1.5 degrees while simultaneously expanding energy access for all.

I therefore call for a renewed commitment to ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

Let¡¯s strive to triple renewables, and double energy efficiency.

Let¡¯s strive to create green jobs, opportunities, and prosperity for all.

Let¡¯s boost finance and investments in clean energy and adopt policies that smooth the way to the adoption of renewables.

Let¡¯s strengthen collaboration, cooperation, and partnerships through the exchange of best practices and technology.

As the President of the General Assembly, my commitment to accelerating progress on clean energy is resolute.

And in April, I will host the inaugural Sustainability Week, which will include the Global Stocktaking on Energy. This will be a unique opportunity to elevate ambitions, expedite implementation, and fortify multi-stakeholder partnerships to fulfill the promise of SDG7.

Let us celebrate the International Day of Clean Energy with anticipation and determination to forge a clean energy future that benefits everyone.

Dennis Francis

Message from Ms. Damilola Ogunbiyi, Special Representative of the SG for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy

Message from Mr. Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA

Message from Ms. Sheila Oparaocha, Executive Director of Energia

Message from Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary, UNESCAP

Message from UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean

Message from Dr. QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General

As we celebrate the International Day of Clean Energy for the first time, let us use this opportunity to bring across the key message that universal access to clean and reliable energy services is a critical aspect of sustainable development and food security.

Energy is needed at every stage of the agrifood value chain ¨C from production to consumption.

Considering that agrifood systems consume thirty percent of the world¡¯s energy with a third of emissions from agrifood systems is from energy use, and that thirty-five percent of the global population still lacks access to stable and sustainable forms of energy for cooking and heating, it is imperative that we accelerate both a clean energy transition and agrifood systems transformation.

Over the last twenty years, FAO has been facilitating access to sustainable modern energy, helping farmers around the world improve productivity and reduce food loss through improved farming and post-harvest practices.

FAO is committed to promoting innovative energy-smart solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to the impacts of the climate crisis, support job creation, gender equality, promotion of youth, local and rural development to boost incomes, safeguard natural resources and reduce hunger.

Our multi-partner Energy-Smart Food Programme fosters green energy solutions, the use of renewable energy, increased circularity through waste-to-energy along agrifood value chains, and a water-energy-food nexus approach.

This is fundamental for the transformation of agrifood systems to be more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient, and more sustainable, to achieve the Four Betters: better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Let us continue to work together to achieve our common goal: food security by clean energy security.