EU Statement: ECOSOC Special Meeting "Safeguarding Energy and Supply Flows: Supporting Global Development through International Cooperation"
Mr. President, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,
I deliver this statement on behalf of the EU and its Member States.
We thank the President of ECOSOC for convening this critical discussion at a time when the global energy crisis is undermining development, deepening inequalities, and threatening the achievement of the SDGs.
The message from this crisis is that fossil fuel dependency comes at a very high economic and strategic cost - deepening poverty, straining budgets, and delaying climate action.
The structural response must therefore be to accelerate the energy transition, and this means scaling up homegrown renewable and low-carbon energy, strengthening grids and storage, and accelerating electrification and decarbonisation across transport, buildings and industry.
In 2025 alone, global electricity demand grew at around 2.5 times the pace of overall energy demand, while three-quarters of all new power capacity installed worldwide was renewable.
Global clean transition [OP1] , creates a historic opportunity to strengthen energy security, resilience and competitiveness.
For the European Union, this means accelerating implementation both domestically and internationally.
The EU response to the recent energy crisis AccelerateEU combines immediate crisis coordination with a faster transition towards clean and homegrown energy, stronger grids, storage and electrification. We are also working on an EU Electrification Action Plan.
International cooperation is equally essential.
Through Global Gateway, the EU is investing in regional interconnections and resilient energy infrastructure, including €2 billion for 27 interconnection projects in Latin America and the Caribbean, alongside further support for Africa and Southeast Asia.
Through Just Energy Transition Partnerships with countries including South Africa, Indonesia, Viet Nam and Senegal, we are supporting nationally-led transitions that combine climate ambition with economic development, social inclusion and job creation.
Governments, industry, financial institutions, all have a role to play. We all need to join efforts and work together on a secure, competitive and sustainable energy systems. To scale what works and invest where it matters and to ensure that the benefits are realised across all regions.
Thank you.
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On 22 April the European Commission unveiled its emergency toolbox ‘AccelerateEU’, in the context of the Iran crisis and closure of the Strait of Hormuz, to address price spikes and the EU’s structural fossil fuels dependence. This aim is to provide accelerated action to ensure affordable and secure energy for the EU’s citizens and businesses.
[OP1]By refering to every country and only two energy sources, this statement is factually contestable.