High level thematic event held at the sidelines of the HLPF 2026

Accelerating Energy System Innovation and Transition for Equity and Resilience 

To Advance Global Sustainable Development

On the occasion of the HLPF 2026 , and in alignment with its theme “Transformative, equitable, innovative and coordinated actions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for a sustainable future for all”, a thematic event entitled "Accelerating Energy System Innovation and Transition for Equity and Resilience to Advance Global Sustainable Development" will be organized at the United Nations Headquarters at 15:00-17:00 on Friday, 10 July 2026.

This thematic event will center on three core topics within the energy system: "Transformation, Innovation, and Resilience," "Equitable Transition and Global Governance," and "Synergies with Other SDGs." Through high-level dialogues, report launches, and round-table discussions, the event will assess the current landscape, identify challenges, analyze solutions, and propose actionable pathways.

By examining practical cases in policy, finance, and technology, the event aims to build consensus and formulate concrete recommendations to promote global clean, low-carbon, and sustainable development, contributing to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

During the thematic event, the  research report of Global Electricity Development Index 2026 will be released. Participants are cordially invited to attend.

Organizer: Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO)

Co-organizer: Permanent Mission of China to the UN, the UN Development Programme(UNDP), the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific(UNESCAP),the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia and Pacific(UNESCWA),Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network(SDSN)

Time:15:00-17:00 on Friday, 10 July 2026 (NY time)

Venue: ECOSOC Chamber, UN Headquarters, New York (subject to availability and approval)

Language: Simultaneous interpretation in Chinese and English

Register Deadline: July 6 (Monday), 2026

Confirmed Speakers: 

1. H.E. Mr. Lok Bahadur Thapa, President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

2. H.E. Ms. Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) (Virtual)

3. H.E. Mr. Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations

4. H.E. Mr. Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa

5. H.E. Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)

6. H.E. Ms. Rania Al Mashat, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia(ESCWA)

7. H.E. Mr. Fu Cong, Ambassador of the Permanent Mission of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations

8. H.E. Ambassador Ernesto Soberón Guzmán, Permanent Representative of Cuba to the UN

9. H.E. Ambassador Eloy Alfaro de Alba, Permanent Representative of Panama to the UN

10. H.E. Mr. Arzybek Kozhoshev,Minister of Energy and Infrastructure of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)

11. H.E. Mr. Selwin Hart, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Climate Action and Assistant Secretary-General for the Climate Action Team (TBC)

12. H.E. Mr. Marcos Neto, Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, UNDP