As part of its ongoing efforts to promote a just and sustainable energy transition in the region and beyond, ESCWA co-organized the Fourteenth International Forum on Energy for Sustainable Development (IFESD-14) from 28 to 30 October. The Forum was organized in collaboration with the other United Nations regional commissions and in partnership with the Ministry of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources of North Macedonia, and the UNDP country office.
Held in Skopje under the theme "From Goals to Action: Powering the Future with Sustainable Energy", the Forum brought together over 500 participants from more than 70 countries, including government officials, international organizations, the private sector, academia, and civil society. It served as a global platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration, focusing on accelerating progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 7(ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all) and the Paris Agreement.
Through the high-level plenary session, 11 thematic sessions, and three side events, participants explored innovative solutions, shared national and regional experiences, and identified pathways for cooperation. Discussions revolved around four major themes: energy resilience and connectivity; just energy transition; clean technologies and resource management; and financing the energy transition.
The Forum reaffirmed that achieving a just, secure, and sustainable energy transition is essential for both human development and climate stability calling for renewed political will, strong partnerships, and inclusive policies to turn commitments into concrete action.
In the closing session, participants adopted the Skopje Declaration, calling on Governments, financial institutions, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector to act decisively and collaboratively. The Declaration urged all stakeholders to advance policies that secure energy sustainability, equity, and resilience, strengthen regional and international cooperation, and accelerate investment in clean and affordable energy systems.
