Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon speaks at the opening ceremony of the World Future Energy Summit 2012 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. UN Photo/Evan Schneider
Globally, one person in five still lacks access to modern electricity and twice that number – three billion people – rely on wood, coal, charcoal, or animal waste for cooking and heating.
“We are here to build a new energy future… a future that harnesses the power of technology and innovation in the service of people and the planet,” Mr. Ban said inremarks to the opening of the World Future Energy Summit, which is taking place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Mr. Ban stressed that energy is central to everything, from powering economies to achieving the anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), from combating climate change to underpinning global security.
“It is the golden thread that connects economic growth, increased social equity and preserving the environment.”
Sustainable energy for all is within our reach.“Sustainable energy for all is within our reach,” he told the summit, which also serves as the global launch of 2012 as the International Year.
Mr. Ban stressed that energy is central to everything, from powering economies to achieving the anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), from combating climate change to underpinning global security.
“It is the golden thread that connects economic growth, increased social equity and preserving the environment.”
