The Global Forum for Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) has taken a major step by mobilizing more than USD 900 million to enhance energy access and accelerate the energy transition. This event, held on March 12-13, 2025, in Bridgetown, Barbados, brought together government representatives, financial sector stakeholders, businesses, as well as members of civil society and youth, under the theme: “Sustainable Energy for Equity, Security, and Prosperity.”
A Global Commitment to a Just and Inclusive Energy Transition
On the sidelines of the Forum, ministers from multiple regions—Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), and the Pacific—issued a global communiqué calling for a just and inclusive energy transition. This document highlights the necessity of multilateral and bilateral financing aligned with national development goals and global commitments, particularly those under the Paris Agreement on climate change.
Ministers from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) also launched a call to action to strengthen energy transition and climate commitments. They emphasized the importance of large-scale transformative climate finance, institutional capacity building, and promoting innovation to enhance resilience against climate challenges.
A Key Forum on the Road to COP30
Organized for the first time in Latin America and the Caribbean, this sixth SEforALL Forum has positioned itself as a crucial milestone ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) scheduled for November 2025. It brought together global stakeholders to elevate discussions on energy, climate, and development while fostering cooperation across different regions and institutions.
The discussions were structured around six key themes:
- Energy inclusion,
- Empowering youth and communities,
- Financing the energy transition,
- Revitalizing international cooperation,
- Climate ambition,
- Technological and financial innovation.
United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed reiterated the critical role of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7), which aims for universal access to clean and affordable energy. She urged participants to transform guiding principles of collaboration and innovation into concrete and measurable outcomes.
Major Investment Announcements
Several significant commitments were announced during the Forum, demonstrating an unprecedented wave of financing for clean energy:
- DRE Fund in Nigeria: The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), SEforALL, the International Solar Alliance (ISA), and Africa50 announced a USD 500 million fund to finance mini-grids, solar home systems, and industrial renewable energy solutions.
- Rural Electrification in Sierra Leone: The European Union, in collaboration with the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and SEforALL, committed USD 20 million to deploy mini-grids and electrify rural households.
- ZE-Gen Program: The IKEA Foundation pledged over EUR 11 million to replace fossil fuel generators with renewable alternatives in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and the Indo-Pacific region.
- Clean Cooking Financing: The ‘Forward7 Clean Cooking’ program, led by the Middle East Green Initiative in partnership with GeCCo, MECS, and UK Aid, announced funding between USD 3.5 million and USD 5 million to promote clean cooking in Sierra Leone.
Ambitious Regional Initiatives
Among the national and regional energy transition projects highlighted at the Forum were:
- Barbados Energy Transition and Investment Plan (ETIP), aiming for net-zero emissions by 2035,
- Pakistan’s ETIP,
- Formula E’s commitment to Energy Compacts,
- The establishment of the Caribbean Chapter of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ),
- A strategic partnership to promote a just energy transition in Latin America and the Caribbean,
- A new financing collective to support renewable energy manufacturing in Africa and Southeast Asia.
Recognizing Changemakers in Energy Transition
Finally, the Forum honored individuals and organizations leading the energy transition through the Energy Heroes Awards, celebrating innovations and impactful actions in sustainable energy.
With these commitments and announcements, the SEforALL Forum 2025 marks a turning point for universal energy access and the global energy transition. By mobilizing substantial financing and promoting concrete solutions, it positions itself as a key catalyst in accelerating the shift towards a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient energy future.
