IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) is an international organization working with leaders in government, the private sector and civil society to drive further, faster action toward achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), which calls for universal access to sustainable energy by 2030, and the Paris Agreement, which calls for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit climate warming to well below 2° Celsius (and striving for 1.5° Celsius).  

Achieving these goals will require a radical rethink of the way we produce, distribute and consume energy. SEforALL is at the heart of this foundational shift to ensure no one is left behind. Drawing on data and evidence, we identify a critical path to success in achieving SDG7. 

The 8th UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched the Sustainable Energy for All initiative in 2011. Now an independent organization, we maintain close links with the UN, including through a relationship agreement, partnerships with UN agencies and with SEforALL’s CEO acting as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative (SRSG) for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy. These roles include advising the UN Secretary General and his staff on issues relating to sustainable energy and the implementation of SDG7 and supporting the coordination of sustainable energy issues in the United Nations system.  

The ambitions of SDG7 are extraordinary. Aiming to achieve them in the context of the Paris Agreement on climate change involves transformation at a scale never undertaken before. Swift action must be taken by leaders in governments, private sector companies, institutions, financiers, development banks, unions, communities, entrepreneurs and civil society. As we enter the final decade to achieve SDG7, SEforALL has strategically chosen to strengthen global agenda-setting while expanding its activities to an engagement model that prioritizes data-driven decision-making, partnerships with high-impact countries and implementation on the ground. SEforALL’s current three-year business plan outlines “results offers” that scope out our planned interventions and demonstrate to our funding partners the impact of their support.

Introduction to SEforALL

Catch up on Tuesday's "A Day in the Life" episode with SEforAll:

Our Speakers:

Inès Rachel Dushime

Universal Energy Facility Intern

I have 3 years of experience in the solar industry with an educational background of IT. I am passionate about the transformative power of renewable energy and the positive impact it can have on communities and businesses in Africa. I work in the Universal Energy Facility team at SEforALL, mainly supporting database management, financial assessments, application evaluation, activities coordination, and report production. 

Irena Stanislavova Shaleva 

Digital Transformation Intern 

I hold an educational background in International Sciences for Cooperation and Development, with specializations in Sociology, Economics, Sustainability, and Computer Science. Currently, I work in the IT team at SEforALL, supporting the ERP Oracle Project. My responsibilities include gathering user input, customizing system configurations, facilitating interdepartmental communication, and ensuring system accessibility and usability for all staff members. 

Julian Rene Cantor 

Energy Planning Intern 

I hold an MSc in Renewable Energy Management and a BSc in Electrical Engineering, with over four years of experience in the energy sector. I have been working on diverse energy projects including rural electrification, hydrogen studies, and energy modeling. Proficient in GIS software and Python, particularly for developing energy models, I am currently working in the Universal Integrated Energy Planning team at SEForALL, where I contribute to improving modeling techniques that provide insights into the rollout of energy infrastructure in unelectrified areas. 

Catch up on Thursday's presentation about the SEforAll Internship Programme:

Our Speaker:

Wei Li

Senior Assistant, Human Resources 

Having been with SEforALL for 2 years, I’ve supported the HR team across various areas of work, with a focus on overseeing the Internship Programme. My mission is to support the organization in striving for a more sustainable world by helping talented young professionals gain work experience and develop competencies in an international environment within the energy access sector. I am committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, diversity, and continuous learning.