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Access to clean energy is essential to combat climate change and ensure equitable development across the globe. Despite advancements, 685 million people still lack reliable electricity, severely impacting health, education, and economic opportunities. Alarmingly, if current trends persist, 1.8 billion people could still rely on unsafe cooking methods by 2030, highlighting the urgency of accelerating clean energy initiatives.

On January 26, 2025, the world will observe the second International Day of Clean Energy, emphasizing the importance of affordable, sustainable, and reliable energy for all. This date also commemorates the establishment of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in 2009, underlining its leadership in driving the global energy transition. To mark the occasion, the United Nations and its energy-focused partners hosted an event to expedite progress on universal energy access. Navid Hanif, UN Assistant-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, stated, “Let us seize this opportunity to ensure that clean energy is no longer a privilege, but a benefit shared by all,” underscoring the vital role of clean energy in addressing poverty and fostering sustainable development.

Clean energy is central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG7) and the climate objectives outlined in the Paris Agreement. However, progress toward universal energy access and renewable energy adoption remains insufficient. UN General Assembly President Philemon Yang stressed the critical role of clean energy in economic, social, and environmental development, highlighting its potential to create jobs, improve livelihoods, and reduce emissions. Yang called for bold action and increased financing to ensure energy equity, noting that public financing for clean energy in developing countries reached $15.4 billion in 2022, a 25% increase from 2021. Still, much of Sub-Saharan Africa, home to over 500 million people without electricity, remains underserved.

IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera advocated for decentralized renewable energy systems as a cost-effective and scalable solution to bridge the energy access gap, especially in rural and remote regions. Off-grid renewable energy capacity has nearly doubled in the past decade, powering 155 million people globally by 2023. Such solutions are vital to providing electricity for homes, businesses, and essential services like hospitals in areas lacking traditional grid infrastructure.

The path forward requires a concerted effort to address financial and infrastructure challenges in developing countries. Participants at the UN event called for alleviating debt burdens, increasing investment, and fostering international partnerships to modernize grids and expand renewable energy access. A sustainable and equitable energy future hinges on political will, innovative solutions, and robust collaboration among governments, institutions, and private sector stakeholders. Only by accelerating the clean energy transition can the world meet its 2030 goals and create a more inclusive, climate-resilient future for all.

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