SIDS Lighthouses Initiative 2.0: High-Level Roundtable on “Increasing Ambition to Accelerate Energy Transformation in SIDS”

Date: Friday 28 September 2018
Time: 13:15 – 14:30
Location: UN Headquarters, ECOSOC Chamber

Since the launch of the SIDS Lighthouses Initiative (LHI), the renewable energy uptake in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) has been impressive. The strong political commitment of SIDS, and the remarkable cost reductions in technologies such as solar PV and onshore wind, coupled with the support of a wide range of partners, have made renewables an affordable solution for countries with limited financing and technical capabilities. The initial LHI targets for 2020 in terms of installed capacity (100 megawatts of solar PV, 20 megawatts of wind power) and mobilised funding (USD 500 million) have been met and exceeded three years ahead of schedule.

Building on the success of the LHI and following the consultative process undertaken with all LHI partners, the event SIDS Lighthouses Initiative 2.0:  High-Level Roundtable on “Increasing Ambition to Accelerate Energy Transformation in SIDS”, was instrumental in drawing together political leadership and launch a more ambitious phase of the Initiative, LHI 2.0, which aims to enable SIDS energy systems’ transformation, leverage investment support, strengthen climate resilience, and contribute to the attainment of the sustainable development goals in SIDS.

 

Programme

 13:15 - 13:35

Opening Remarks

Honorable Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi, Prime Minister of Samoa and Chair of the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States

Adnan Z. Amin, Director General, IRENA

SIDS Lighthouses Initiative 2.0 Video

H.E. Fekitamoeloa Katoa 'Utoikamanu, UN High Representative and Under-Secretary-General for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Countries and Small Island Developing States - representing the United Nations Secretary-General

13:35 - 13:45

Keynote Remarks

H.E. Hilda Heine, President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands

Honorable Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

13:45 - 14:25

Roundtable discussion on priorities to accelerate energy transformation in SIDS through SIDS Lighthouses 2.0

Honorable Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda

Honorable Evelyn Wever-Croes, Prime Minister of Aruba

H.E Taneti Maamau, President of the Republic of Kiribati

Honorable Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas, Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu

Interventions from Ministers and other participants.

14:25 – 14:30

Concluding Remarks

Learn more and view the event agenda.