#sustainable energy #climate action #Barbados #Bridgetown

Global Leaders Gather in Bridgetown for Energy and Climate Talks

As the clock ticks down to 2030, world leaders are set to convene in Bridgetown, Barbados, for crucial discussions surrounding energy, climate change, and sustainable development. The urgency of the agenda is underscored by the fact that only five years remain to meet the global objectives outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly goal 7, which focuses on energy for all.

The Sustainable Energy for All Global Forum will take place on March 12-13, 2025, and is expected to draw over 1,000 high-level delegates, including government officials, business leaders, and civil society representatives. The gathering presents a unique opportunity to celebrate achievements, forge new partnerships, and discuss actionable solutions for an equitable energy transition.

This sixth edition of the SEforALL Global Forum carries the theme "Sustainable Energy for Equity, Security, and Prosperity" and marks the first occasion it is being hosted in the Latin America and Caribbean region. Key speakers include:

• - Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados
• - Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone
• - Amina J. Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General
• - Gordon Brown, former UK Prime Minister
• - Doto Biteko, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Tanzania
• - Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 President from Azerbaijan
• - André Corrêa do Lago, upcoming COP30 President, Brazil
• - Wale Edun, Nigerian Minister of Finance
• - Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank
• - Tariye Gbadegesin, CEO of the Climate Investment Fund
• - Mafalda Duarte, Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund.

The Barbadian government, as a co-host of this significant forum, showcases its commitment to sustainable development and clean energy. Minister of Energy and Business, Hon. Lisa Cummins, expressed pride in the collaborative efforts with Sustainable Energy for All, emphasizing the role the forum plays in advocating for climate justice and supporting developing nations in their energy transitions.

“Under Prime Minister Mottley's leadership, Barbados has emerged as a leader in promoting a fair energy transition. There is no better place to host the SEforALL Global Forum 2025, which aims to generate bold ideas and partnerships to eliminate energy poverty and tackle climate change,” noted Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO of Sustainable Energy for All and UN Special Representative for Sustainable Energy.

More than 30 countries will be represented at the forum, which will feature two ministerial roundtables aimed at enhancing collaboration and boosting investments in energy transitions within developing economies and emerging markets. The forum will unveil major announcements, including the launch of innovative financing initiatives, and highlight nations’ energy transition plans.

In addition to the main forum events, the inaugural "The Energy Heroes Award" will also be presented, recognizing transformative ideas that have made a real-world impact. This forum serves as a pivotal platform leading up to COP30, where a roadmap to enhance climate change financing will be revealed for future global climate negotiations later this year.

For more information about the SEforALL Global Forum 2025, visit their official page.