Ashgabat hosts international UN expert meeting on energy connectivity
The international expert meeting on improving energy connectivity will be held in Ashgabat on October 16-17. The meeting’s agenda includes the critical need for stable and efficient energy connectivity to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7, which provides affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
The meeting builds on the momentum created by UN General Assembly Resolution 78/149, which recognizes the key role of energy connectivity in achieving sustainable development. UNECE and ESCAP contributed to the event by organizing two thematic sessions under the joint Programme on Energy Connectivity in Central Asia and the Caucasus: “Regional Integration and Cooperation: Lessons from the ESCAP Regional Road Map on Energy Connectivity” and “Diversification and Security of Energy Sources: Exploring Strategies to Diversify Energy Sources, Enhance Energy Security and Mitigate Climate Change: Lessons from the UNECE Energy Connectivity Project in Central Asia”.
Cross-border integration of power systems is a key tool for accelerating the energy transition. By providing access to cheaper renewable energy sources that are often located far from demand centers, increasing diversity of supply and unlocking grid flexibility, cross-border integration can help countries accelerate the decarbonization of their power systems while ensuring high levels of energy security and keeping costs low for consumers.
Achieving a fair and equitable transition to clean energy systems will require a significant increase in investment in grid infrastructure and cross-border trading of renewables. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), to achieve this goal, investment in electricity transmission and distribution networks will need to double to $680 billion per year by 2030.
Participants will share their ideas on best practices in planning, financing, operating integrated energy systems and other cross-cutting issues.
The event will be held in a hybrid format, combining in-person participation in Ashgabat and virtual connections via an online platform. The sessions will include parallel workshops on specific topics such as cross-border infrastructure development, regulatory frameworks and clean energy integration.
The program also includes a special UNOCT event to launch the Technical Guidance on Critical Energy Infrastructure Protection.
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