KIGALI, 19 May 2022 – “It is urgent that we act on climate change now! Floods, droughts, wildfires and hurricanes are a clear sign. The reports of the IPCC are clear. We need joint action at a higher speed and scale to meet the challenges of our times and avoid a catastrophe in the future,” said Gerd Müller, Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), addressing the opening plenary on day three of the 2022 Sustainable Energy for All Forum (SE4ALL) in Kigali, Rwanda.

Müller told participants, “UNIDO stands ready as your partner. Together, we can make sure that the solutions we already have are financed and implemented with urgency and care.”

The 2022 SEforALL Forum is the landmark global gathering bringing people together to take stock of progress, showcase successes and identify solutions to achieve faster, broader gains towards sustainable energy for all. The Forum is taking place at a pivotal juncture in the final decade to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7.

Müller shared three key UNIDO initiatives focusing on innovation, technology transfer and a just transition:

• The Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP) has benefitted over 1,300 start-ups in nine countries. It has generated over US$200m in investments and provides concrete solutions to the challenges of energy access, energy-use efficiency and e-mobility;
• In 2021, UNIDO launched the Global Partnership on Green Hydrogen in Industry to promote the use of green hydrogen in industrial sectors like steel and cement; 
• Together with Energia and the Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition, in 2021 UNIDO launched the Gender Energy Compact calling on governments and organizations to take action on gender-inclusive policies, gender-lens financing, leadership and career development. 

In his closing words, Müller said, “My motto is ‘progress by innovation’! And I invite you to join our programmes and contribute to make the needed changes. We have no time to lose!”