Ministerial Thematic Forums brought together key stakeholders in June 2021 to mobilize actions on the road to the High-level Dialogue on Energy in September 2021.

The Ministerial Thematic Forums took place virtually from 21-25 June 2021. Each day, ministers and leaders from business, cities, civil society, youth organizations, and other stakeholders addressed one of the five themes selected for the High-level Dialogue, as follows:  

• Energy Access (21 June)
• Innovation, Technology and Data (22 June)
• Energy Transitions (23 June)
• Enabling SDGs through Inclusive, Just Energy Transitions (24 June)
• Finance and Investment (25 June)

Each forum launched a report detailing recommendations for action needed on that thematic topic. The reports were prepared by Technical Working Groups following a series of meetings between February and May. These five reports will comprise a global roadmap for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) on affordable and clean energy for all by 2030, on the road to net-zero emissions by 2050.

The Ministerial Thematic Forums also showcased solutions and partnerships on each priority theme through “Energy Compacts,” where actors at all levels are being encouraged to set forth the actions and commitments they will take to help achieve SDG 7 and net-zero emissions.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres will convene the High-level Dialogue on Energy at the summit level in September. This Dialogue will be the first global gathering on energy under the auspices of the UN General Assembly since the 1981 UN Conference on New and Renewable Sources of Energy. It presents an historic opportunity to provide transformational action in the first years of the SDG Decade of Action and support the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

IISD, through its Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) Meeting Coverage, provided daily web updates and a summary and analysis following the closure of the Forums.