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

The High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) was held in New York from 8 to 18 July 2024. This annual event reviews progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda. At this event, SDG 1 (No poverty), SDG 10 (Reduced inequalities), SDG 13 (Climate action) and SDG 17 (Partnership for the goals) were analysed.

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 the 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 clean energy to achieve the SDGs. Strategies were discussed to improve energy efficiency, expand the use of renewable energy and promote international cooperation in sustainable energy development.

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 highlighted 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 push towards sustainability, emphasizing the importance of closing the gaps in access to modern and clean energy services, and of increasing energy efficiency and electrification with renewable energy.

He also stressed the need for innovative productive development policies and for strengthening governance, infrastructure investment and long-term energy planning. At the same time, he stressed that energy integration and complementarity between countries in the region are crucial to generating economies of scale and reducing operating costs and investments.

ECLAC’s participation in this HLPF event reaffirms its commitment to accelerating the energy transition to boost 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.