Least Developed Countries

The fourth Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) Forum opened on Wednesday, 2 May 2018, at the Convento do Beato in Lisbon, Portugal. Under the overarching theme of ‘Leaving No One Behind,’ the two-day Forum is: reviewing the latest evidence of progress on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 (access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all; exploring scalable innovations to achieve the three SEforALL objectives of electricity access, accelerating renewable energy and improving energy efficiency; and reflecting on lessons learned regarding what is needed to reach the “last mile” populations. Highlights of the first day included: Presentation of results from the 2018 Tracking SDG 7 Energy Progress Report; A high-level panel discussion on policy matters, focusing on national strategies to accelerate progress towards SDG 7, including perspectives on how to address challenges in meeting sustainable energy and climate goals; A “Wake Up Call” from Rachel Kyte, SEforALL CEO, on what is needed to achieve SDG 7; Three “Deep Dive” sessions exploring the themes of: electricity for all in sub-Saharan Africa; clean fuels for all; and cooling for all; Nine parallel discussion sessions organized by SEforALL partners; An interactive session on gender inclusive investing in clean energy, which discussed linkages between SDGs 5 (gender equality) and 7; and A marketplace on solutions to achieve clean and affordable energy for all. IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ Meeting Coverage, has provided daily digital coverage and a summary report from the 4th SEforALL Forum. The summry report is now available in HTML and PDF. Photos by IISD/ENB | Mike Muzurakis For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page Opening Plenary Rachel Kyte, SEforALL CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All António Luís Guerra Nunes Mexia, CEO, Energias de Portugal (EDP)   Elizabeth Press, Director of Planning and Programme Support, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Maria Neira, World Health Organization (WHO) Riccardo Puliti, Senior Director, Head of the Energy and Extractives Global Practice, World Bank Group Vivien Foster, Global Lead for Energy Economics, Markets and Institutions, World Bank Group From L-R: Laura Cozzi, Head of the Energy Demand Outlook Division, International Energy Agency (IEA); Vivien Foster, Global Lead for Energy Economics, Markets and Institutions, World Bank Group; Maria Neira, WHO; and Elizabeth Press, Director of Planning and Programme Support, IRENA Per Heggenes, CEO, IKEA Foundation Sheila Oparaocha, International Secretariat, ENERGIA From L-R: Elizabeth Littlefield, Senior Counselor, Albright Stonebridge Group; Gale Rigobert, Minister for Education, Innovation, Gender Relations and Sustainable Development, Saint Lucia; Leonardo Beltran Rodriguez, Deputy Secretary for Energy Planning and Transition, Mexico; Germaine Kamayirese, Minister for Energy, Water and Sanitation, Rwanda; Masamichi Kono, Deputy Secretary-General, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); and João Pedro Matos Fernandes, Minister of Environment, Portugal Gale Rigobert, Minister for Education, Innovation, Gender Relations and Sustainable Development, Saint Lucia Leonardo Beltran Rodriguez, Deputy Seretary for Energy Planning and Transition, Mexico Germaine Kamayirese, Minister for Energy, Water and Sanitation, Rwanda Masamichi Kono, Deputy Secretary-General, OECD João Pedro Matos Fernandes, Minister of Environment, Portugal Fernando Medina, Mayor of Lisbon Heidi Schroderus-Fox, United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) Winners of the "Voices of a Brighter Future" journalism competition Laura Cozzi, Head of the Energy Demand Outlook Division, IEA, with Bertrand Magne, SEforALL Participants conferring during a coffee break The Deep Dive: Electricity for All in Sub-Saharan Africa From L-R: James Mwangi, Executive Director, Dalberg Group; Andrew Herscowitz, Coordinator for Power Africa, US Agency for International Development (USAID); Felix Bikpo, CEO, African Guarantee Fund for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises; Kristina Skierka, Co-Founder and CEO, Power for All; Nthabiseng Mosia, Co-Founder and CFO, Azimuth | Easy Solar; and Philippe Miquel, CEO Western & Central Africa, ENGIE Andrew Herscowitz, Coordinator for Power Africa, USAID, and Felix Bikpo, CEO, African Guarantee Fund for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Nthabiseng Mosia, Co-Founder and CFO, Azimuth | Easy Solar Shegun Bakari, Advisor to President of Togo The Deep Dive: Clean Fuels for All View of the panel during the session Bessem Enonchong, Country Director, Cameroon, Global LPG Partnership (GLPGP) Hajia Alima Mahama, Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Ghana The Deep Dive: Cooling for All From L-R: Nithya Ramanathan, Co-Founder and CEO, Nexleaf Analytics; Maria Neira, Director of the Department of Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health, WHO; and Andrea Voigt, Director-General, European Partnership for Energy and the Environment Fatih Özkadi, Global Head of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs, Arçelik Group Nithya Ramanathan, Co-Founder and CEO, Nexleaf Analytics Interactive Lunch - Addressing SDGs 5 and 7: Gender Inclusive Investing in Clean Energy Jennifer Pryce, Calvert Impact Capital Leigh Moran, Calvert Impact Capital Clean Cooking Fuels for All: Moving Beyond the Improved Stove Tom Derksen, Managing Director Energy, Netherlands Development Organisation Eco Matser, Senior Programme Manager, Hivos Participants exchange views in one of the five break-out groups at the session Data that Drives SDG 7: Emerging Findings from the Global Energy Access Survey View of the panel during the session Dana Rysankova, Senior Energy Specialist, and Elisa Portale, Senior Energy Economist, World Bank Group Annemarije Kooijman-van Dijk, Coordinator of Gender and Energy Research Programme, ENERGIA, and Zhihong Zhang, Senior Program Coordinator, Climate Investment Funds, World Bank Group The Energy Access Dividend- Data that Informs and Influences From L-R: Marc Jeuland, Associate Professor of Public Policy and Global Health, Duke University; Vivian Vendeirinho, Founder and Managing Director, RVE.SOL; and Linda Davis, Director of Partnerships, wPower Hub Rebekah Shirley, Director of Research, Power for All Leslie Labruto, Associate Director of Global Energy, Acumen Enabling Jobs with Energy - Opportunities, Challenges and Ongoing Activities View of the panel during the session Farai Evans Chabat, Entrepreneur, President, Youth in Energy Rebecca Symington, Executive Director and Trustee, Mlinda Foundation Karin Reiss, Sustainable Energy Expert, UN Industrial Development Organization Last Mile First: Maximizing the Impacts of Energy Access on the SDGs Davida Wood, Lead, Energy Access and Governance, World Resources Institute (WRI) Isaac Kiva, Secretary for Renewable Energy, Ministry of Energy, Kenya Sarah Wykes, Lead Analyst, Climate Change and Energy, Catholic Agency For Overseas Development (CAFOD) Unlocking Energy Efficiency Finance for High-Impact Areas From L-R: Lily Riahi, Advisor on Sustainable Cities, UN Environment; Amadou Thierno Diallo, Director of Global Practices, Economic and Social Infrastructure, Islamic Development Bank; Steve Kukoda, Vice President, International Copper Alliance; Mark Lister, Head of the Copenhagen Centre on Energy Efficiency; and Ariel Yepez, Chief of the Energy Division, Inter-American Development Bank Lily Riahi, Advisor on Sustainable Cities, UN Environment Steve Kukoda, Vice President, International Copper Alliance Mark Lister, Head of the Copenhagen Centre on Energy Efficiency Between Sessions

The Bonn Climate Change Conference continued on Tuesday, with negotiations on the Paris Agreement Work Programme (PAWP) as the day's main focus. Topics discussed included finance, mitigation, transparency, global stocktake, adaptation and the committee to facilitate the Paris Agreement's implementation and promote compliance. These discussions took place under the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement (APA), the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI), and the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) through various contact groups and informal consultations. Negotiations also took place on other items under the SBI and SBSTA. Issues discussed included technology, Least Developed Countries (LDCs), the Adaptation Committee, research and systematic observation, and reporting. In addition, three workshops took place throughout the day, on: economic modeling tools related to the work programme on response measures; the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples (LCIP) Platform; and education, training, public awareness, public participation and public access to information to enhance actions under the Paris Agreement (ACE). For extensive details on the day’s negotiations and to hear what delegates in the corridors, see our daily Earth Negotiations Bulletin. IISD Reporting Services, through its Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) Meeting Coverage, provided daily digital coverage, daily reports, daily videos, and a summary and analysis report from the Bonn Climate Change Conference - April/May 2018. Photos by IISD/ENB | Kiara Worth For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page APA Contact Group View of the dais during the APA contact group Wael Aboulmagd, Egypt, speaking on behalf of the G-77/China APA Co-Chairs Sarah Baashan, Saudi Arabia, and Jo Tyndall, New Zealand Amjad Abdulla, Maldives, speaking on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) Mohamed Nasr, Gabon, speaking on behalf of the African Group Patrick Suckling, Australia, speaking on behalf of the Umbrella Group Mona Al-Attas, Saudi Arabia, speaking on behalf of the Arab Group Collin Beck, Solomon Islands APA family photo Multi-stakeholder Workshop of the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples (LCIP) Platform Frank Ettawageshik, National Congress of American Indians, opens the session with a prayer UNFCCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa Roberto Múkaro Borrero, Indigenous Peoples Organization Representative and Co-Moderator Participants stand during the opening prayer Alberto Saldamando, Indigenous Environmental Network Walter Schuldt Espinel, Ecuador Karoliina Anttonen, Finland Juan Carlos Jintiach Arcos, Ecuador Geert Fremout, EU Grace Balawag, Indigenous Leader Tebtebba SBSTA Chair Paul Watkinson, France Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, Indigenous Peoples Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) Workshop Participants gather during the ACE workshop Ana Maria Kleymeyer, ACE Workshop Facilitator Adriana Valenzuela, UNFCCC Secretariat Deo Saran, ACE Workshop Facilitator Laura Maanavilja, EU Participants form break-out groups to discuss ACE-related topics Informal Consultations Throughout the Day SBSTA informal consultations on Annex I parties' reporting under the Convention, relating to greenhouse gas inventories, biennial reports, and national communications SBSTA contact group on financial resources provided and mobilized through public interventions in accordance with Paris Agreement Article 9.7 Informal consultations on further guidance on adaptation communication (APA agenda item 4) SBI informal consultation on Paris Agreement Article 9.5, matters related to climate finance SBSTA informal consultations on rules, modalities, and procedures for the mechanism established by Paris Agreement Article 6.4 Around the Venue Nicole Wilke, Germany, and Johanna Lissinger-Peitz, Sweden APA Co-Chairs Sarah Baashan, Saudi Arabia, and Jo Tyndall, New Zealand, speak with Trigg Talley, US, and Patrick Suckling, Australia Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, Indigenous Peoples Delegates speak informally Anne Maletjane, UNFCCC Secretariat Halldór Thorgeirsson, UNFCCC Secretariat Benito Müller, Oxford Climate Policy Security staff around the venue A delegate makes a recording of statements Collin Beck, Solomon Islands

On Monday, parties at the Bonn Climate Change Conference focused on launching substantive work by establishing negotiating groups. Plenary meetings of the three main negotiating bodies, the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI), the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) and the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement (APA) made good progress, with each body working through its agenda without major disagreements. In the evening, the three bodies held a joint plenary to hear statements from parties and observer organizations. In the afternoon, several of the negotiating groups held their first meetings and started substantive negotiations on issues such as agriculture, technology, finance, market and non-market mechanisms, and adaptation. Throughout the day, a training workshop also took place to consider economic modelling tools related to the work programme on response measures. Its aim was to understand and quantify the cross-border impacts of climate-related policies (i.e., response measures). For extensive details on the day’s negotiations and to hear what delegates said in the corridors, see our daily Earth Negotiations Bulletin. IISD Reporting Services, through its Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) Meeting Coverage, provided daily digital coverage, daily reports, daily videos, and a summary and analysis report from the Bonn Climate Change Conference - April/May 2018. The summary and analysis report is now available in HTML and PDF. Photos by IISD/ENB | Kiara Worth For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page SBSTA Opening Plenary View of the dais during the SBSTA opening plenary SBSTA Chair Paul Watkinson, France UNFCCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa Ian Fry, Tuvalu Chen Zhihua, China Abdalah Mokssit, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Delegates during the SBSTA opening plenary SBI Opening Plenary View of the dais during the SBI opening plenary SBI Chair Emmanuel Dlamini, Swaziland Ovais Sarmad, UNFCCC Deputy Executive Secretary Thiago de Araújo Mendes, Chair of the Consultative Group of Experts on National Communications for Non-Annex I Parties (CGE) Aderito Manuel Fernandes Santana, São Tomé and Príncipe Adão Soares Barbosa, Timor-Leste APA Opening Plenary View of the dais during the APA opening plenary APA Co-Chairs Jo Tyndall, New Zealand, and Sarah Baashan, Saudi Arabia UNFCCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa speaks with APA Co-Chairs Jo Tyndall and Sarah Baashan, and Sergey Kononov, APA Coordinator Joint Session for Statements View of the dais during the joint session for statements Wael Aboulmagd, Egypt, speaking on behalf of the G-77/China Boriana Kamenova, EU Mohamed Nasr, Gabon, speaking on behalf of the African Group Franz Perrez, Switzerland, speaking on behalf of the Environmental Integrity Group (EIG) Patrick Suckling, Australia, speaking on behalf of the Umbrella Group Majid Shafie-Pour, Iran, speaking on behalf of the Like-minded Developing Countries (LMDCs) Gebru Jember, Ethiopia, speaking on behalf of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) Tosi Mpanu-Mpanu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, speaking on behalf of the Coalition for Rainforest Nations (CfRN) Amjad Abdulla, Maldives, speaking on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) Isabel Di Carlo Quero, Venezuela, speaking on behalf of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) SBI/SBSTA In-forum Training Workshop SBI/SBSTA in-forum training workshop on the use of economic modelling tools related to the areas of the work programme on response measures Alicia Bagasra, New Zealand Bert Saveyn, EU Morgenie Pillay, South Africa Co-Facilitator Andrei Marcu, Panama Ama Essel, Ghana Contact Groups and Informal Sessions Throughout the Day SBSTA contact group on matters relating to Article 6 of the Paris Agreement SBSTA informal consultations on the Nairobi Work Programme (NWP) Informal consultations on Koronivia joint work on agriculture Around the Venue Members of the UNFCCC Secretariat gather on the podium SBSTA Chair Paul Watkinson, France, speaks with Kishan Kumarsingh, Trinidad and Tobago Delegates speak informally Delegates read the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) curtain raiser to prepare for the start of the meeting Delegates between sessions Delegates speak informally

On Wednesday, 29 November 2017, the GEF Council considered the proposed November 2017 Work Program, which includes: 83 full-sized projects; one programmatic approach; 101 recipient countries; 38 least developed countries (LDCs) and 28 Small Island Developing States (SIDS); and US$2.6 billion in co-financing. The GEF Secretariat reported that 76% of total original GEF-6 resources, 94% of revised GEF-6 resources, 92% of LDCs/SIDS allocations, and 82% of STAR Adjusted allocations for all other countries have been programmed. During discussion, Council members supported elements of the Work Program and commended the Secretariat’s efforts in balancing geographical and focal area distribution of the projects. Noting that three of 18 entities, namely, the UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and World Bank, were allocated over 60% of programming, many Council members called for balanced inclusion of all Accredited Entities. Council members also discussed the level of private sector co-financing, enhancing cooperation with multilateral development banks (MDBs), and increasing investment in the work of the GEF. At the conclusion of the discussion, the Council approved the Work Program, subject to the comments made during the Council meeting and pending further submissions by Constituencies. Additional agenda items discussed on the second day of the three-day Council meeting included: Rationale and Plan to Review GEF's Fiduciary Standards; Updated Policy on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Council Members, Alternates, and Advisers; Relations with the Conventions and Other International Institutions; Non-Grant Instruments: Experience of the GEF Partnership; Plan to Review GEF’s Social and Environmental Safeguards; and the CEO Report on the Status of GEF-7 Replenishment. The GEF Council also held a dialogue with the heads of the Secretariats of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and the Minamata Convention on Mercury.​ IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ Meeting Coverage, has provided daily web coverage and a summary report from the GEF Council Consultation Meeting with CSOs, the 53rd GEF Council Meeting, and the 23rd Meeting of the LDCF/SCCF Council. The summary report is now available in HTML and PDF. Photos by IISD/ENB | Leila Mead For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page Council member Paul Ralison, Madagascar Council member Mitchell Silk, US Alternate Council member Carola van Rijnsoever, Netherlands Council member Abdul Bakarr Salim, Sierra Leone Participants during the session Council member Zhongjing Wang, China Alternate Council member Carola van Rijnsoever, Netherlands, Council member Nuritdin Inamov, Russian Federation, and Council member Esther Sanz Gonzalez, Spain Gustavo Fonseca, GEF Secretariat, presents the GEF Work Program Alternate Council member Mapa Patharina M.P.D.U.K., Sri Lanka Alternate Council member Francois-Xavier Duporge, France Council member Peter Elder, Australia, and Council Co-Chair Jane Chigiyal, Federated States of Micronesia Council members Jozef Buys, Belgium Council member Marita Olson, Sweden Council member Aparna Subramani, India   Robert Bisset and Patrizia Cocca, GEF Secretariat Council member Marcia Levaggi, Argentina Jacob Duer, Principal Coordinator of the Interim Secretariat of the Minimata Convention Rolph Payet, Executive Secretary of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions View of the dais during the discussions Melchiade Bukuru, Chief of UN Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD) Liaison Office Amy Fraenkel, Director, Mainstreaming, Cooperation and Outreach Division, Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Secretariat A view of the dais during the discussion on non-grant instruments David Rodgers, GEF Secretariat (left) Kenneth Lay, former Vice-President of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development Lisa Pharoah, Rare Ryan Alexander, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Andrey Shlyakhtenko, International Finance Corporation (IFC) (center)