EU Statement – UN High Level Political Forum: Special Ministerial Meeting on the Global plan of action for the decade of sustainable energy for all to 2030

Secretary General, Excellencies, colleagues,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the EU and its Member States.

Since the 2021 High-Level Dialogue on Energy convened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the European Union has remained a strong and consistent supporter of SDG 7 and of global efforts to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

The European Union has demonstrated this commitment not only through political engagement, but through practical leadership and partnership. In its role as Global Theme Champion on energy access and on enabling the Sustainable Development Goals through inclusive and just energy transitions, the EU has helped keep energy at the centre of the sustainable development agenda.

We are proud to be a partner in three multi-stakeholder Energy Compacts convened by UN-Energy. These compacts include commitments to develop national zero-emission energy roadmaps in selected developing regions, as well as Regional Energy Transition Outlooks for Europe, Africa and Latin America. The European Union has also supported the Green Hydrogen Compact, joining governments, companies and knowledge partners to advance green hydrogen as a viable solution for a net-zero future.

More broadly, we strongly support the spirit of the Global Compact approach: bringing together governments, the United Nations system, international financial institutions, the private sector, civil society and knowledge partners to drive collective action. This is essential, because no single actor can deliver SDG 7 alone.

The European Union has also remained a firm supporter of Sustainable Energy for All. At the SEforALL Global Forum in Barbados in 2025, the EU actively participated in two ministerial sessions and joined global leaders in pledging stronger cooperation and solidarity to accelerate a just and equitable energy transition and strengthen climate resilience.

Excellencies,

SDG 7 stands out as one of the most transformative goals of the 2030 Agenda. The world has made tremendous progress on energy access, and the clean energy transition has become unstoppable. However, the global energy crisis is undermining development, deepening inequalities, and threatening the achievement of the SDGs.

For the European Union, this means accelerating implementation both domestically and internationally.

The EU response to the recent energy crisis combines immediate crisis coordination with a faster transition towards affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy, stronger grids, storage and electrification.

Furthermore, the Electrification Action Plan, foreseen in July 2026, will speed-up the cost-effective and system-friendly electrification of the EU's energy consumption in transport, industry and buildings, accompanied by continuous investments in clean energy and flexibility.

Internationally, the European Union is contributing through its Global Gateway strategy, which supports sustainable and high-quality infrastructure partnerships around the world. Through Global Gateway, and together with our Member States under a Team Europe approach, we are investing in clean energy, grids, connectivity and enabling regulatory frameworks, with a particular focus on partner countries most in need. This reflects our conviction that the energy transition must be just, inclusive and grounded in long-term partnerships.

The United Nations Decade of Sustainable Energy for All provides an important political mandate and a shared framework for action. Its Global Plan of Action offers clear guidance for the work ahead. In that context, we welcome the launch of key publications supporting the SDG 7 review, including Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report 2026 and the SDG 7 Policy Briefs 2026. These will provide an essential evidence base for informed decision-making. We further welcome the launch of UN-Energy's Work Programme for 2026 to 2030, setting out six priority areas for collective action towards achieving SDG 7.

Excellencies,

The European Union remains committed to working with the United Nations and with all partners to accelerate progress towards SDG 7 and to advance a sustainable, resilient and climate-neutral future for all.

I thank you.