Italy fully aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union.
Allow me to share a few points from our experience in advancing sustainable energy access.
When discussing SDG 7, we should remember that energy is not an objective in itself. It is a fundamental enabler of development.
Expanding access to energy means expanding opportunities for people, strengthening communities and supporting economic growth. This is why progress on SDG7 is closely linked to progress across the entire 2030 Agenda.
This understanding shapes Italy’s engagement with partner countries and our international cooperation efforts.
A good example is the partnership between our Ministry of Environment and Energy Security and the UNDP Rome Centre, through which Italy supports initiatives that expand energy access, build local capacities, mobilize investments and promote sustainable development.
Among these initiatives is the Energy for Growth in Africa Initiative, which helps transform local energy needs into bankable investment opportunities across ten African countries.
Italy also promotes, together with UNEP, the 3DEN Initiative, helping countries use digital technologies to improve energy efficiency, strengthen grid resilience and reduce energy costs for households and businesses.
Together with UNDP, Italy is advancing projects under Mission Innovation on grid modernization, energy efficiency, clean cooking and renewable energy deployment, tailored to local needs.
Italy also contributes to SDG 7 through the Italian Climate Fund, which is mobilizing around 1.8 BILLION euros for sustainable energy and infrastructure investments in Africa, under the Mattei Plan.
Additional support comes through the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa and the ESMAP Program.
Our experience shows that energy access delivers the greatest impact when embedded in broader development strategies.
For this reason, Italy promotes integrated approaches combining clean energy with capacity building, research and innovation, private sector engagement, and public and private finance.
In this context, sustainable biofuels and bioenergy can also play an important role, particularly in rural areas, by providing reliable energy services while creating jobs, supporting farmers and generating new economic opportunities.
These examples show how energy access contributes to broader development goals.
Italy remains committed to working together to advance sustainable, inclusive and resilient energy transitions that deliver tangible benefits for people and communities.
Because expanding access to sustainable energy means expanding access to opportunity.
Thank you.
