SEforALL at UNGA80
This year marks the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80), taking place from 9–29 September at a critical moment for global diplomacy and international development. High-level Week, beginning on 22 September, will bring government leaders together to focus on the urgency of accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals and revitalizing global cooperation. Running in parallel, Climate Week NYC 2025 (21–28 September), under the theme “It’s Time”, will convene heads of government, business leaders, academics, and civil society to drive innovative solutions for a faster transition to a net-zero future.
SEforALL will play a central role during these momentous global events. A delegation led by the CEO and UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Sustainable Energy for All will participate in a wide range of activities at UNGA80 and Climate Week NYC. Through these engagements, SEforALL will continue to drive ambition and secure commitments for advancing the energy transition and universal energy access.
Specifically, we will celebrate and showcase ambition, engage partners to leverage innovative financing solutions to bridge the energy access gap, and amplify the call to action for a just and equitable energy transition, highlighting opportunities such as Mission 300.
Together with its partners, SEforALL will also showcase progress on the Energy Compacts – voluntary, trackable commitments designed to spur action towards achieving net-zero while advancing universal energy access – through a series of dedicated sessions planned during the ‘EnergyNow’ SDG7 Action Forum hosted by UN-Energy on 24-25 September.
Here are the key engagements SEforALL is involved in during this years’ UNGA80 and Climate Week NYC:
Start
20 Sep 2025
End
25 Sep 2025
20 September
Columbia Africa Conference 2025 organised by Columbia University
Time: 11:00-17:00 ET
Venue: Columbia Business School
Role: Panellist in session “Powering Africa’s Future – Energy, Climate, and Equity ”
Africa stands at the crossroads of an energy transformation. With vast renewable resources, growing economies, and a young population, the continent has the potential to leapfrog traditional fossil-fuel dependency and embrace sustainable, climate considerate energy systems. Yet, challenges such as financing gaps, infrastructure deficits, climate impacts, environmental equity and policy hurdles must be addressed. This panel will explore innovative pathways for Africa to achieve universal energy access while aligning with climate commitments and sustainable development goals
You can view the programme on the Conference website.
21 September
GABI Unstoppable Africa
Session: Financing Power, Powering Change: Africa’s Energy Revolution in Motion
Time: 12:00 - 15:40 ET
Venue: New York Marriott Marquis
This SEforALL curated event includes a high-level dialogue spotlighting Africa-led investments and initiatives driving tangible progress on the continent. There will also be a panel discussion that aims to deepen understanding of the challenges and opportunities within Africa’s evolving green energy landscape, followed by deep-dive breakout sessions. Participants will hear how African leaders and innovators are already creating solutions to close critical gaps in the continent’s energy agenda—catalyzing meaningful change and fostering a more sustainable, resilient and inclusive growth pathway for Africa.
This is an invite-only event.
22 September
Launch of the SEforALL Global Campaign EmPower
Time: 10:00 - 10:30 ET
Venue: Virtual (Link to livestream event will be shared)
This campaign launch marks the start of a bold, coordinated effort to shift the global narrative to clean energy as the catalyst for a global economic transformation and the foundation for building a future-ready generation. Through a high-energy, multi-generational and interactive livestream, the event will generate buzz, spark curiosity and expand our reach to new and diverse audiences.
The launch will be livestreamed on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Youtube.
Opening of Climate Week NYC
Time: 11:00 - 12:00 ET
Venue: The Glasshouse
As the world prepares for a critical stocktake of progress ahead of COP30, momentum is building around the need for faster, more equitable climate action anchored in economic opportunity and energy justice. Our CEO, Damilola Ogunbiyi, will join other global leaders, and will deliver a high-level speech at the opening of Climate Week NYC that will provide insights on why investing in clean energy and inclusive growth is not only viable but vital to achieving both development and climate goals.
You can see the programme on the Climate Week NYC website.
High-level Partner Meeting: EmPowering the Path to a Just and Equitable Energy Transition with Sustainable Energy for All
Time: 12:30 -14:00 ET
Venue: Permanent Mission of Iceland to the United Nations
This partner meeting, organized together with the Government of Iceland, will provide insights into the critical challenges and opportunities associated with delivering a Just and Equitable Energy Transition for developing and emerging economies – a transition that meets the imperative of net-zero carbon dioxide emissions from the energy sector by mid-century whilst also ending energy poverty, enabling growth and development and empowering women and youth. SEforALL will share its experience and show how its driving real change to accelerate a just and equitable energy transition across communities.
This is an invite-only event.
23 September
The SEforALL Green Industrialization Hub hosts a High-Level Roundtable on Minerals to Manufacturing: Advancing Global South Ambitions to Build Clean Technology Value Chains
Time: 10:30 - 12:00 ET
Venue: WeWork Office, 575 Lexington Avenue
The roundtable will bring together leaders from governments, industry, financing institutions and development partners to discuss key actions needed to support Global South countries’ ambitions to develop local value chains for energy transition technologies to create jobs, facilitate value addition and advance industrialization efforts . The roundtable will showcase in-country and regional activities being undertaken by SEforALL’s Green Industrialization Hub, as well as spotlight findings from the Nigeria critical minerals demand-supply assessment led by the Council for Critical Minerals Development in the Global South and the Institute for Transportation Studies, UC Davis.
This is an invite-only event. To attend, reach out to Sakshi Chandra (sakshi.chandra@seforall.org)
Carbon-Free Energy: Keeping up momentum on corporate commitments
Time: 14:00 - 15:30 ET
Venue: WeWork Office, 575 Lexington Avenue
The transition to a net-zero future demands bold corporate leadership coupled with pragmatic solutions. This event will convene private sector leaders, policymakers, financiers and civil society to examine how corporate ambition can be transformed into actionable energy transition strategies. Discussions will explore evolving energy standards, supply chain decarbonization, and the economics of green value chains, while highlighting approaches to ensure a just transition in emerging economies. The event will highlight strategies for aligning corporate net-zero roadmaps with national energy transition priorities, unlocking innovative financing models and ensuring a just and equitable transition in emerging economies. The session will also spotlight the role of standards, accountability and collaboration in driving systemic change, while tackling the realities of cost pressures, trade barriers and shifting policy frameworks.
This is an invite-only event.
UNICEF & SEforALL event on Powering Education and the Cost of Inaction of not Sustainably Electrifying Schools and Health Centers
Time: 14:00 - 16:00 ET
Venue: TBC
In collaboration with UNICEF, SEforALL will convene key partners to discuss the progress, challenges and next steps in powering education in the Global South. The session will delve deep into current initiatives helmed by key partner organizations in the powering education space and how we can collectively mobilize resources and drive action to ensure that access to energy (SDG7) does not hamper education (SDG4).
This is an invite-only event.
24 September
Accelerating the Scale-Up of Green Hydrogen
Time: 11:00 - 12:45 ET
Venue: SDG7 Action Forum, Lebanese American University, 211 E 46th St.
This UNGA side event will serve as a milestone moment for the Green Hydrogen Task Force. It will convene key stakeholders to: Present preliminary findings of the Task Force, ahead of the full launch at COP30. Facilitate high-level dialogue around enabling policies, investment tools and cooperation models that can accelerate green hydrogen scale-up in emerging markets. Gather strategic feedback from policymakers, partners and industry leaders on the Task Force recommendations.
Register here to attend: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=2zWeD09UYE-9zF6kFubccO4lxlshsWlFkMMpmyNigU1UMlVFRTJYRkM0U0E3VlJFTDVaTjFaNks3Ry4u&route=shorturl
Achieving safe, sustainable, and universal Water Sanitation and Health (WASH), waste and electricity services in health care facilities: Progress on the 2023 General Assembly Resolution
Time: 13:15 - 14:30 ET
Venue: Conference Room 7
Hosted by the Governments of Hungary and the Philippines, this event will highlight and showcase best practices for scaling-up universal Water Sanitation and Health (WASH), waste and electricity services in support of global health targets. The event will foster greater alignment, collaboration and investment among partners and financial institutions in support of champion countries.
This is an invite-only event.
25 September
Energy Compacts Annual Progress Report Launch
Time: 09:00 - 10:00 ET
Venue: SDG7 Action Forum, Lebanese American University, 211 E 46th St.
Since the launch of the Energy Compacts in 2021, there has been growing momentum and support for these voluntary commitments. With USD 284 billion already mobilized against USD 1.6 trillion committed, Energy Compacts are delivering real progress. This achievement reflects the collective effort of governments, companies and institutions committed to transforming energy systems. This event will unveil the latest report, showcasing the collective advancement, action and urgency towards addressing the energy demands of today, while paving the way for a sustainable tomorrow.
Register here to attend: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=2zWeD09UYE-9zF6kFubccO4lxlshsWlFkMMpmyNigU1UMlVFRTJYRkM0U0E3VlJFTDVaTjFaNks3Ry4u&route=shorturl
Advancing a Just Energy Transition through 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy
Time: 10:30 - 12:00 ET
Venue: SDG7 Action Forum, Lebanese American University, 211 E 46th St.
This event will highlight how 24/7 CFE approaches can operationalize the Just Inclusive and Equitable Transition (JIET) principles, showcasing real-world successes, while urging new partners to commit to advancing an equitable, around-the-clock clean energy future.
Register here to attend:
Champions in Action: Advancing Gender Data and Indicators in Sustainable Energy
Time: 10:30 - 12:00 ET
Venue: SDG7 Action Forum, Lebanese American University, 211 E 46th St.
Building on the momentum of the recently released High-level Political Forum (HLPF) 2025 Policy Brief, Gender Indicators in Sustainable Energy: A Call to Action, this event will highlight the efforts of countries and leading organizations in advancing the measurement of gender equality within sustainable energy.
Register here to attend:
Just Inclusive and Equitable Transition: Evidence-Based Solutions to Advancing Sustainable Economic Growth, Productive Employment & Decent Work for Women and Girls
Time: 14:30 - 16:00 ET
Venue: SDG7 Action Forum, Lebanese American University, 211 E 46th St.
This event will explore systemic barriers faced by women in achieving decent work, including lack of social protections, informal and precarious work conditions, limited access to STEM education and digital literacy and underinvestment in gender-responsive policies. It will also highlight strategies to improve women’s representation in leadership roles, address energy poverty and promote gender-responsive reforms in renewable energy sectors.
Register here to attend: