In preparation for the 2026 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), UN DESA, with the support of UN-Energy and hosted by UNECE, convened an Expert Group Meeting on Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) in Geneva on 25–26 March 2026. Bringing together over thirty experts from governments, international organizations, academia and civil society, the meeting found that progress toward universal access to affordable and clean energy has been positive and unstoppable, but still uneven, slow and inequitable, concluding that efforts need to focus on the last mile and the most vulnerable, leaving no one behind. Looking at the impact of the energy crisis arising from current conflicts as well as the broader context as we enter the final stretch towards the 2030 target year for the SDGs, the Expert Group strategized how to break down barriers to scale and speed with more effectiveness and impact; and how to strengthen cooperation and partnerships across all sectors and intergovernmental processes. Insights from the meeting will help inform the SDG 7 review at HLPF 2026 and set the stage for a continued push on energy in the post-2030 agenda, recognizing the catalytic role of a just and inclusive energy transition. The summary of the EGM on SDG7 is now available online.
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Following the Expert Group Meeting, UN-Energy convened a technical-level meeting at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on 26–27 March 2026 to advance collective action toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7. The meeting supported the finalization and early implementation of the UN-Energy Work Programme 2026–2030, aligned with the updated Global Plan of Action for the United Nations Decade of Sustainable Energy for All endorsed by the General Assembly. Through focused deep-dive sessions, participating UN entities discussed priority areas for collaboration and operationalized joint activities aimed at accelerating progress on SDG 7. The discussions marked an important step toward strengthening system-wide coordination and delivering tangible results in the lead-up to 2030.
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The global energy transition is no longer a question of whether, but how. On 18th February, SEforALL brought together Just and Inclusive Energy Transition Compact (JIET) signatories and energy practitioners to tackle one of the transition's most pressing challenges: turning shared principles into real-world outcomes. Voices from UNECE, the SDG7 Youth Constituency, New Sun Road, the Global Bioenergy Partnership, EKOenergy, the Government of Malawi, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iceland explored what it actually takes to embed inclusion into national energy planning, align investment with equitable outcomes, and ensure that those most affected by the transition are not left behind. The conversation made clear that ambition alone is not enough; durable, politically sustainable transitions depend on workforce support, community engagement, and the institutional capacity to back commitments with action. Iceland was also welcomed as the latest signatory to the JIET Compact. Learn more about the JIET Compact and steps to join here.
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The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has launched a call for inputs on the human rights impacts of technologies related to climate change. The initiative seeks contributions from governments, international organizations, researchers, civil society and other stakeholders to inform a forthcoming report examining both the benefits and potential risks of climate-related technologies — including areas such as carbon capture, geoengineering and emerging digital tools. The call aims to strengthen understanding of how climate technologies can support mitigation and adaptation efforts while ensuring they uphold human rights and environmental protections across their full life cycle. Submissions are open until 30 April 2026. More info on submissions here.
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