Global conference: Scaling up energy access and finance in least developed countries

May 29, 2019

On 30-31 May, UN-OHRLLS* and GEIDCO** organize the Global conference on Scaling-up Energy Access and Finance in Least Developed countries in Beijing, China. The conference will focus on concrete measures to accelerate energy access and enhance financing for sustainable and modern energy (SDG7).  Together with civil society partners and journalists from Nepal, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Malawi, the Hivos Southern Africa energy team will be present and take part in a parallel session with journalists and session IV on May 31. See below for details:

Session IV – Inclusive energy finance to reach the last mile

Friday 31 May, 11:15 – 12:30

This session will focus on what such an inclusive financing framework could look like, building on a supportive mix of public funding and private finance, a dedicated set of financial instruments and efficient and results-based subsidies. The session will also examine what is needed in terms of policy, regulation and community involvement to ensure the enabling financial framework will lead to an increase in implementation of decentralized RE systems.

Moderator: Dr. Ute Collier Global Energy Representative, Practical Action

Panellists:

  • Reginald Mapfumo, Regional Project Manager, Green and Inclusive Energy, Hivos
  • Tiem Bolidja, Director General, Togolese Institution of Rural Electrification and Renewable Energies Agency (tbc)
  • Niru Shrestha, Energy Entrepreneur, Nepal
  • David Morgado, Senior Energy Specialist, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
  • Peter George, Senior Director, Private Sector & Investment, Clean Cooking Alliance
  • Lejla Vandić, Programme coordinator SDG Results: Access to Renewable Energy
  • James Chavula, journalist, Malawi

For more information about this session see Session IV – Inclusive energy finance to reach the last mile (pdf)

Parallel session – Role of journalists in advocating for better energy access

Friday 31 May, 08:30 – 09:30

The session will provide participants with ideas, tips and strategies for ensuring that issues connected to renewable energy are given visibility in the media. It will address the latest on coverage and stories which show progress in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 globally and in the least developed countries.  In particular, the session will focus on the role played by journalists in advocating for better energy access, sharing best practices and lessons learned and the use of tools such as digital technologies, social media, photojournalism, video journalism and community radio as effective tools for advocacy journalism.

Panellists:

  • Reginald Mapfumo, Project Manager, Hivos Southern Africa
  • Nyasha Nyakunu, MISA (Hivos’ partner Zimbabwe)
  • Jonas Kachikho, Journalist, YONECO (Hivos’ partner Malawi)

 

For more information about the conference and the program, see ‘Global conference on Scaling-up Energy Access and Finance in Least Developed countries’.

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* UN office of the high representative for the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing states
** Global Energy Interconnection Development Cooperation Organization