Kigali to host Sustainable Energy Forum for East Africa 2018
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 14th March, 2018:
The East African Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (EACREEE), in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the EAC Secretariat, the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), Sustainable Energy For All (SEforALL) and the Ministry of Infrastructure of the Republic of Rwanda (MININFRA) are jointly organizing the Sustainable Energy Forum for East Africa 2018 in Kigali Rwanda.
Hosted by the government of Rwanda from 19th to 21st March 2018, the Forum aims to foster economic transformation of the EAC Partner States through equitable access to sustainable energy for all. It is further hoped that it will forge effective partnerships for achieving Sustainable Development Goal- 7 targets - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all - in the EAC Partner States by the year 2030.
Energy is essential in the running of daily domestic activities and operation of industry. Availability of sufficient, reliable and affordable energy is crucial for the functioning of the economies of the EAC Partner States. As a service and productive sector, energy plays a catalytic role in stimulating investments and higher levels of productivity. Article 101 of the Treat for the Establishment of the EAC calls for the EAC Partner States to explore measures to supply affordable energy to the people of the region while taking into account the protection of the environment.
The Forum will provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss strategies on the harmonization of renewable energy and efficient energy (RE & EE) policies, upscaling financing in RE & EE projects and technologies, as well as exchange knowledge, experiences and inform about ongoing and planned regional programmes. In addition, the Forum seeks to strengthen the regional network and provide a platform for knowledge- and experience sharing.
The Forum will bring together policy makers, experts, civil society and private sector representatives and development partners to share best practices, identify opportunities and challenges, and find solutions to the energy challenges in East Africa. These include EAC Secretary General Amb. Libérat Mfumukeko; Sustainable Energy for All CEO, Rachel Kyte; UNIDO Director of Energy, Tareq Emtairah; Austrian Development Agency Managing Director, Martin Ledolter; International Solar Alliance (ISA) Director General, Upendra Tripathi; and International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Deputy Director General, Sakari Oksanen among others.
The 2018 edition of the Sustainable Energy Forum will focus on the following seven thematic areas: (i) Access to Energy; (ii) Roadmap of a Sustainable Energy future for East Africa; (iii) Financing Sustainable Energy projects in the EAC; (iv) Energy and Gender in the EAC region; (v) Sustainable City development in the region; and (vi) Geothermal Energy.
For more information about the Forum and participation please visit: https://sef-ea2018.b2match.io/
Follow the conversation online Twitter: #SEF4EA Facebook: #SEF4EA
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno
Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department
EAC Secretariat
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 784 835021
Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The EAC Secretariat is ISO 9001:2008 Certified