The International Expert Meeting on Enhancing Energy Connectivity - Promoting Cooperation and Achieving Sustainable Development is taking place in Ashgabat on the 16th to 17th of October 2024 under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Ocean.
The meeting will address the critical need for stable and efficient energy connectivity to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of providing affordable, reliable, resilient and modern energy for all.
The meeting builds on the momentum created by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 78/149, which recognized the key role of energy connectivity in achieving sustainable development. The meeting is being held in a hybrid format, with experts participating in discussions both in person in Ashgabat and virtually through an online platform.
According to the provisional agenda, a plenary session will be held on the 16th of October, featuring welcome addresses and keynote speeches by high-level officials and experts. The first thematic session will be entitled «Regional Integration and Cooperation: Lessons from the ESCAP Regional Roadmap on Energy Systems Connectivity». It will feature interactive panel discussions on regional energy cooperation initiatives, best practices and challenges. Parallel workshops will address specific topics such as cross-border infrastructure development, legal frameworks and clean energy integration. The second day of the event, on the 17th of October, will feature a special event by the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism – the launch of the Technical Guidance on Critical Energy Infrastructure Protection – and a second thematic session, «Energy Diversification and Security: Exploring Strategies to Diversify Energy Sources, Enhance Energy Security and Mitigate Climate Change». It will focus on lessons learned from the UNECE Energy Nexus Project in Central Asia. The panel discussion will focus on investment and financing for energy connectivity. Experts will focus on exploring innovative financing mechanisms and attracting private sector investment.
