United Nations High-Level Dialogue on Energy

UN High-Level Dialogue on Energy

Speech by

H.E. Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation of Iceland

Mr. Secretary General, excellencies, ladies, and gentlemen,

As a Global Champion of this High-level Dialogue, I am incredibly honoured to participate in today´s event.

We all recognize that bold action is needed to driving progress on SDG7 and ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

It is simply unacceptable that close to 760 million people still lack access to electricity and that a third of the world relies on harmful, polluting fuels for cooking.

Our decision to take on a role as a Global Champion was therefore not a difficult one.

In Iceland we also know from our own experience how access to sustainable energy can transform societies and economies.

Indeed, it cannot be overstated that progress on SDG7 is key to drive achievement of all the other SDGs.

We have therefore taken our role as Global Champion seriously, both in our advocacy efforts and in our own Energy Compact.

And today, based on Iceland´s clear vision of a sustainably energy future, I am pleased to share with you some of the highlights of our national energy compact.

Domestically, Iceland aims to:

• Become independent from use of fossil fuels at the latest by 2050 and carbon neutral by 2040. Renewable energy in transport will be at least 40% by 2030.

   

• Take measures to improve energy efficiency and minimize energy waste.

• Meet all energy needs of the country in a secure manner for the near and distant future.

Internationally, Iceland aims to:

• Increase climate-related financing, focusing on the transition to sustainable energy.

   

• Support countries in increasing the share of renewable energy and in transitioning to the circular economy through direct multiple use of energy, including for food production.

   

• Help advance gender equality in the just transition to sustainable energy, including through technical training.

Iceland also proudly joins the Gender Equality Energy Compact, as well as the 24/7 Carbon-free Energy Compact, and we also hope to see a Geothermal Energy Compact.

Mr. Secretary General,

The world is at a critical juncture.

We should look at today´s High-Level Dialogue on Energy as the beginning of a new chapter – a chapter which will be remembered as the start of renewed global efforts to drive the sustainable energy agenda.

Let me assure you, that Iceland will play its part.

Thank you.