SEforALL at UNGA81 and New York City Climate Week 2026
Photo: UN Photo/Kim Haughton
World leaders will gather in New York this September for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81), which opens on 8 September and Climate Week NYC, taking place from 20–27 September. The General Assembly’s High-Level Week, from 22–28 September, comes at a crucial moment for stronger cooperation and accelerated progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7). With less than four years left to achieve universal energy access, 655 million people still lack access to electricity, while two billion still cook with polluting fuels.
Under the theme “Powering the Next Decade: From Universal Energy Access to Sustainable Economic Transformation,” SEforALL will convene governments, development finance institutions, philanthropies and the private sector for a week of high-level dialogues, investment roundtables and partnership announcements across three Solution Hubs.
The programme will showcase practical, investment-ready solutions and highlight flagship initiatives including Mission 300, Innovating Finance Initiatives, Energy Transition and Investment Planning, Green Industrialization and Gender and Youth.
Here are the key engagements SEforALL is involved in during this year’s UNGA81 and Climate Week NYC:
18 September
SDG Moment 2026
Multi-stakeholder Dialogue
Time: 10:00–13:00 ET
Venue: General Assembly Hall, United Nations Headquarters, New York
The UN Secretary-General will convene the SDG Moment, under this year's title, "Together, We Can Get There." The theme reflects both the urgency and optimism of the moment: despite mounting challenges, the SDGs remain within reach if the international community acts collectively, scales proven solutions and accelerates implementation during the final stretch to 2030. SEforALL will take part in the multi-stakeholder dialogue that will explore how partners are adapting to contemporary pressures to sustain progress on the SDGs.
(By invitation only)
20 September
GABI's Unstoppable Africa
Commercial Announcement of the Nigeria Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) Fund
Time: 14:30–14:50 ET
Venue: New York Marriott Marquis
The Nigeria DRE Fund will bring its founding institutions together to mark the launch of a new blended-finance vehicle for distributed renewable energy. The Fund will help unlock investment in Nigeria’s energy transition and support Mission 300.
(By invitation only)
22 September
High-level Investment Roundtable
Time: 17:00–19:00 ET
Venue: UNOPS New York
This session focuses on achieving Mozambique’s national electrification objectives from planning to investment.
(Closed-door and by invitation only)
23 September
SDG7 Impact Hub
Founding dialogue on impact-based approaches to Carbon-Free Energy
Time: 16:00–18:00 ET
Venue: UNOPS New York
A growing number of experts are advocating for an impact-based approach to developing net-zero plans. This approach has significant potential for developing economies if it is designed to reflect different energy transition pathways and ensure that the benefits are inclusive. To support this interest and build understanding among a wider audience, SEforALL plans to host a founding dialogue with the aim of launching a new UN-Energy Compact in 2027.
(By invitation only)
24 September
SDG7 Green Industrialization Hub
This Hub includes three sessions bringing together country leaders, investors and partners to advance green industrialization and electrification across Africa. Discussions will explore opportunities in critical minerals, productive-use of energy, Botswana’s renewable energy sector and Mozambique’s electrification plans.
Venue: The Nest Climate Campus, North Javits Center
Session #1: SEforALL-Bank of Agriculture Roundtable
Time: 09:00–11:00 ET
Showcasing Decision-Support Tools for facilitating investments in Productive Use of Energy projects.
Session #2: Botswana Investor Roundtable
Time: 13:00–14:30 ET
Featuring the launch of Botswana’s Renewable Energy Power Sector Plan & Clean Energy Manufacturing Guide.
SDG7 Action Forum
Launch of the 2026 UN Energy Compacts Annual Progress Report
Time: 10:30–11:30 ET
Venue: The Lebanese American University, 211 East 46th Street, New York
The 2026 report will present the latest results from five years of Energy Compacts and highlight the commitments and action needed to accelerate progress towards SDG7.
(By invitation only)
25 September
SDG7 Youth Hub
Powering Tomorrow’s Women Leaders: Women in STEM & Private Sector Circular Mentorship Dialogue
Time: 08:30–12:00 ET
Venue: UN Women Headquarters
The session will pair young women with private-sector leaders for a circular mentorship dialogue on women in STEM and entrepreneurship. Co-hosted with Schneider Electric’s Youth Education & Entrepreneurship Program and UN Women, it will create space for practical exchange, mentorship and shared learning.
(By invitation only)
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