HLDE 2021: Leaving (really) no one behind: Energy Access in Fragile and Conflict Affected Areas

The need for durable and innovative solutions is particularly great in fragile contexts, such as in situations of displacement, where energy access amongst affected populations is well below SDG7 targets. Humanitarian agencies do not have the means to prioritise energy beyond its direct applicability to addressing the basic needs of the persons of concern, such as, providing food, water and medical assistance. Meanwhile a lack of inclusion or recognition for displaced people limits their incorporation in national programmes for energy access, which further inhibits longer-term development planning and peacebuilding efforts. In fragile contexts, lack of access to energy and development creates the conditions for the structural instability and persistence of vulnerability.

To bring attention to the energy needs in the fragile and conflict-affected communities, the Global Platform for Action (GPA) on Sustainable Energy in Displacement Settings hosted at UNITAR and its partners will organize an event at the Ministerial Forum to convene governments, UN agencies, and international/national organizations working towards achieving SDG7 in fragile and conflict affected areas. The discussion will focus on policy, advocacy, and strategies for energy interventions, as well as the challenges and opportunities in collaborative approaches, which could also include UN peacekeeping in future solutions. The event is expected to create momentum on this topic and facilitate the discussion during the UN High-level Dialogue on Energy. The organisers will call on all relevant partners to include displaced people in national energy access policies while humanitarian, development and peacebuilding organisations are urged to switch to sustainable energy solutions in their responses.

This side event is proposed based on the SDG 7 Policy Brief 3.14 The Interlinkages between Energy and Peaceful and Inclusive Societies. https://sdgs.un.org/sites/default/files/2021-06/2021-SDG7%20POLICY%20BRIEFS.pdf#page=145

Watch the event below:

Targeted Audience

This event is targeted to policy makers and practitioners from governments, international/national organizations, NGOs, Think Tanks, academia, private sector. The expected participants will be individuals working in development, humanitarian, and peacebuilding actions. We invite anyone interested in sustainable development goals of 7, 8, 9, 13, 16 and 17.

Expected Outcomes

• Increased advocacy and awareness about energy access solutions in fragile settings, including displacement situations through the development-humanitarian-peace nexus.
• Understanding how inclusive practices and local community-led action can contribute towards just transitions in energy for displaced people.
• Increased collaboration and effective synergies among development, humanitarian and peacebuilding partners to achieve SDG7.
• Showcasing best practice examples for interventions for just energy transition and universal access to energy in the fragile and conflict affected areas around the world.
• Developing a dialogue on the importance of research and data within humanitarian energy sector.
• Awareness among policymakers and stakeholders on collaborative approaches to solve the challenges and opportunities of providing access to energy for displaced populations and host communities.

Agenda

Time	Duration	Content
12:00-12:05	5 min	Welcome
12:05-12:15	10-15 min	Introduction on The Interlinkages between Energy, Peacebuilding, and Inclusive Societies Introduction to the SDG7 policy brief Energy in fragile settings Latest examples on energy projects focussing on peace and fragile settings The Peace Renewable Energy Credits as an innovative finance mechanism   Speakers: Linda Wamune, Program Director, Energy Peace Partners Philip Sandwell, Research Associate, Imperial College London and GPA Research Partner Sarah Rosenberg-Jansen, GPA Senior Advisor and Research Lead
12:25-12:55	35 min	Panel discussion on Just Energy Transition in Fragile and Conflict affected areas through Triple Nexus.   Panelists Hans Olav IBREKK, Climate Envoy, Climate and Security, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dina Ionesco, Head of Migration, Environment and Climate Change Division, International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Rutu Dave, Senior Energy Specialist, The World Bank Group Mads Hansen, CEO, KUBE Energy Habib Mayar, Deputy General Secretary, G7plus
12:55-13:00	5 min	Closing

Moderator

Thomas Fohgrub, Head of the Secretariat for the Global Platform for Action on Sustainable Energy in Displacement Settings, UNITAR

---

This session contributes to the goals and vision of the GPA Framework, aiming to achieve universal sustainable energy access for displaced people and their host communities by 2030. The GPA is a multi-stakeholder platform for actions to systematically improve sustainable energy access in displacement settings. The GPA is steered and supported by the following partners: