Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States - IRENA

Statement at the Virtual Event on the Energy Transformation in SIDS

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 14:00:00 +0000

Statement by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

15 September 2020
New York, USA

Excellencies,
Colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Thank you, Ambassador Martin Bille Hermann of Denmark and Mr. Francesco La Camera, Director General of IRENA for your invitation to participate in this important event.

More than ever, resilience building to climate change is a must and energy transition is a key factor in this including for building strong foundations for sustainable growth and development.

The 36 participating SIDS, all development partners of the SIDS Lighthouse Initiative and IRENA are true champions in the SIDS Climate Action.

Ladies and gentlemen.

In so many ways, 2020 is defining year and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is a disrupter.

Beyond any doubt, in the years to come we all will experience fast and deep structural shifts and downgrades in global growth forecasts.

The pandemic has laid bare more than solely inequalities in access to health care. The pandemic exposes the many inequalities ranging from weaknesses in our economic infrastructures, inequalities in digital access, inequalities in accessing basic supply chains, inequalities in social safety provisions.

Energy always has been at the core of human agency and this pandemic has driven home once more the fundamental importance of robust and sustainable energy systems in managing risks and increasing resilience.

Small island developing states must be included in energy transition for three main reasons.

First, it reduces their heavy dependence on fossil fuels and exposure to price volatilities.

Second, it helps diversify local economies and the expansion of activity into emerging markets. It is a tool to move up in the value chain.

Third, it is not just the sustainable way to go but it can help build resilience in the face of ever increasing tropical storms and hurricanes.

A sustainable energy Guide for Caribbean Countries by SE4All issued in August drives it home.

In just one day, Saint Lucia lost 13,000 jobs – approximately 7 percent of the total population and 16 percent of the total labour force.

The same study argues that for every US dollar invested in the transition towards renewable energy, an additional 93 US cents of additional GDP growth above business as usual is expected to occur.

So, investment in renewables is the smart thing to do!

What has so far held investment back ?

A key factor resides in the high upfront financing cost of a renewable-energy infrastructure.

It is an obstacle for SIDS in achieving their energy transformation.

As I said before, COVID 19 is a disruptor and disruption is an opportunity also.

It is potentially , with the right support, an opportunity for SIDS to pursue their ambitious goals towards 100 per cent renewable energy.

The challenge before all of us is how do we go from vision to action?

Allow me to share with you some thoughts on key areas for accelerating action for a successful energy transformation in SIDS.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I think we can safely say we finally have a broad consensus in the international community that we must act NOW to accelerate the clean energy transition in SIDS.

It is key that governments and the international community work closely together to deliver targeted and effective measures to support the peoples of the SIDS.

Financing is an issue but financing is available.

The hurdle is in accessing that finance.

We must continue to advocate for dedicated funds for SIDS, including within the context of the International Financial Institutions. We must ensure streamlined, speedy finance access processes without of course compromising on transparency and accountability.

We must expand access to concessional financing for SIDS to complement their domestically financed packages.

In terms of the broader picture we must look into, I also must mention the issue of debt sustainability SIDS experience.

Currently, SIDS, like many other societies and economies, are faced with balancing short- term almost survival requirements with medium- and long term imperatives for sustainable and inclusive development paths.

I am sure we all would agree that we cannot postpone investment in sustainable futures.

The collapse of tourism, remittances, and other revenue bases is moving some SIDS from a liquidity crisis to a solvency crisis.

So, I reiterate my call for the establishment of a dedicated debt sustainability mechanism for the SIDS.

SIDS in need should have access to the Debt Service Suspension Initiative, which should be expanded beyond 2020.

Ultimately, what we are faced with is that we can not keep postponing the SIDS’ debt distress.

We must look into debt relief and address institutional inequities in the international debt architecture.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Finally, much more must also be done to strengthen regional collaboration and new partnerships.

The private sector is a key partner in the efforts towards realizing SIDS’ energy transitions.

The generous support from the government of Denmark made it possible for OHRLLS to initiate the SIDS Global Business Network.

That network is all about strengthening private sector engagement in the implementation of the SAMOA Pathway and Agenda 2030.

The upcoming 2020 SIDS-GBN Forum that OHRLLS is organizing together with Palau provides a platform to take discussions forward.

The Forum is a further opportunity to push the strong business case for energy transition in SIDS.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The task ahead is complex. There is no one size fits all response. In our global response package, we must ensure responsiveness to the SIDS’ specific requirements .

It is vital that we now seize the momentum to integrate our short-term responses and recovery plans with the medium and long-term goals on sustainability and resilience.

The investments we make over the next few months in responding to COVID cannot be short term, expedient band- aid. We must ensure their lasting impact on generations to come.

I thank you for your attention.

Front Page Article:

Statement at the High-Level Dialogue on Accelerating Energy Transition in Small Island Developing States to Stimulate Post Pandemic Recovery

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Jun 2020 20:52:00 +0000

Statement by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

1 June 2020
New York, USA

Excellencies,
Colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen,

I am pleased to join you all!

Your high-level dialogue on accelerating energy transition in SIDS to stimulate post-pandemic recovery could not be more relevant and timely.

It truly is an understatement to say that the COVID-19 pandemic more than underscored the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) extrême vulnerability to external shocks.

The pandemic has triggered a vicious cycle and we must make every effort to move this cycle from vicious to virtuous.

Tourism revenues are a major earner for SIDS - the fall is beyond sharp. Remittances keep families going - they have fallen drastically.

Small island economies are likely to experience one of the most pronounced contractions in 2020 and possibly beyond.

The result is a further exacerbation of their vulnerability to economic and climatic shocks.

In this vicious cycle we are in, SIDS face particular challenges. Foremost, there is of course the capacity issue of responding to the immediate health crisis.

We knew about the fragility of their economies and social protection systems. This fragility now runs even deeper and it will be a tremendous challenge to plan for and implement social and economic recovery.

Beyond any doubt, recovery will take some time.

It is now a point where we can either manage if not even muddle through a status quo or make an effort to turn a desolate situation into an opportunity for innovation and transformation.

Excellences, ladies and gentlemen,

A core feature of transformation lies in accelerating the energy transition in SIDS to stimulate post pandemic recovery.

This may be the opportunity to reform complex domestic tax systems on fuel, expand fiscal space and move out from heavily subsidised fossil fuel consumption.

This, combined with decreasing prices of renewables, will lay a strong foundation for an expansion of renewable and sustainable energy. This has potential to trigger cleaner and low-carbon production and consumption bases.

We though must keep in mind that SIDS governments already prior to this crisis faced significant fiscal constraints.

COVID-19 may well be that drop making the glass half empty rather than half full.

Do we really want now to lose hard won gains?

It is more important than ever that the international community is steadfast in its actions to accelerate the clean energy transition in SIDS.

As partners, governments and the international community must work together with the objective to deliver targeted and effective measures to support the peoples of the SIDS.

The peoples of the SIDS cannot be left behind and just bear alone and abandoned the brunt in responding to this unprecedented crisis.

We must continue to explore and advocate for dedicated funds for SIDS, including within the context of the International Financial Institutions.

It will be vitally important to expand access to concessional financing for SIDS to complement domestically financed stimulus packages.

The latter are necessary but not sufficient to deliver on the considerable needs of SIDS during this crisis.

It is also critical that we establish a dedicated debt mechanism for SIDS.

Such mechanism must provide for comprehensive, inclusive and innovative actions for immediate and long-term debt sustainability.

The focus has to be on creating fiscal space for recovery and fostering investments in sustainable development.

The global response to and recovery from COVID must factor in
a SIDS specific approach.

So, let us turn from a vicious to a virtuous circle and give SIDS a chance to emerge from this crisis with cleaner, greener and more resilient societies.

I thank you for your attention.

Front Page Article:

Opening Remarks at the 2020 IRENA Assembly

Anonymous — Sat, 11 Jan 2020 15:43:00 +0000

Opening Remarks by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

11 January 2020
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,

First, I wish to congratulate IRENA for the leadership and vision you show in and for the renewable energy sector.

Thank you for sharing your Annual Report on the Implementation of the work programme and budget for 2018-2019.

You indeed carried out a wide array of activities, worked with a multitude of partners and you have pushed forward the renewable energy agenda.

OHRLLS is the advocate for three groups of vulnerable countries . The LDCs, LLDC and SIDS.

Combined, the groups represent 91 member states. They have a combined population of 1.3 billion people or roughly 15 per cent of the global population.

All countries face several comparable macro development challenges making their their structural transformation highly complex.

The access to sustainable energy is one of their key and shared challenges.

Lack of access to sustainable energy is the norm and this leaves too many unable to transform their economies structurally and move forward in their development path.

The latest data shows that, in 2017, 51% only of the population in LDCs had access to electricity.

This indicator stood at 56% in LLDCs, and an enormous 82% in SIDS.

This data does indeed hide considerable inter- country, inter- regional and above all major urban and rural area inequalities within countries.

For example, in 2016, on average, 75% of the urban population in LDCs had electricity access, compared with only 31% of rural populations.

These gaps are not only limited to electricity. The picture gets worse when we look at access to modern fuels for cooking and heating.

This means that large segments of the population have no access to, are not able to utilise the benefits of modern energy to improve their health, education, income generation and enjoy a fair share in overall social and economic development.

These state of affairs is simply unacceptable.

I firmly believe that if there is one sector where we can bring rapid, life changing transformation to people’s lives, it is in access for all to renewable, modern energy.

A majority of these vulnerable countries are endowed with vast reserves of renewable energy resources.

This base when brought together with access to new technologies and taking advantage of falling prices of renewable energy, offers solutions for gaining energy access.

The key question is how ? How can we ensure that the global momentum around renewable energy reaches also those currently left behind?

We certainly do need stronger partnerships to accelerate the energy transition in vulnerable countries.

This will require partnerships around the massive investments needed now. This will require more rapid action within the next years.

Technological advances continue to generate new solutions and clean, green energy is more affordable and competitive than ever. We must NOW combine what the technological advances already have brought about and continue to do so with increased investments in the least developed countries . We must give them a real opportunity to achieve SDG7 by 2030 and contribute to climate change action.

It is not impossible. We have success stories and best practices.

It is encouraging to see the rapid progress made in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Cambodia. They have all electrified at a rate of about 5 percentage points per year since 2010!

Many LDCs have already successfully tapped into using hydropower. The use of solar, wind power and geothermal is also increasing. Notable progress can be recorded in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Nepal, Myanmar and Rwanda in using off-grid energy solutions serving especially rural areas.

My key message is that SDG7 is within reach. We must have the will and it is high time to deliver.

OHRLLS will not spare efforts in continuing to strongly advocate for and rally support and resources for the vulnerable countries in their energy transition.

Vulnerable countries have and continue to show strong leadership.

At the Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit, in September, both LDCs and SIDS put forward initiatives with the objective of accelerating sustainable energy transition with ambitious targets.

It is now the turn of development partners, in the North and South to extend a helping hand. More focus is also needed on how to strengthen private sector engagement in the sustainable energy sector. The private sector is a key partner in the efforts towards realizing sustainable development aspirations and mobilizing required funds.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I look forward to strengthening the various partnerships to ensure that vulnerable countries will not be left behind in their energy transition.

In this regard, OHRLLS recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IRENA to strengthen our collaboration.

To conclude, I stress again the need to move beyond the words and to take immediate action to ensure we expand renewable energy access in LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS.

As a global community we must continue to strengthen our collaborative efforts to support sustainable energy development in vulnerable countries. It is in all our interests - inequality and climate know no borders!

Thank you.

Front Page Article:

Remarks at the High-Level Meeting on Accelerating the Energy Transformation in Small Island Developing States Through Renewable Energy

Anonymous — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 21:52:00 +0000

Remarks by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

10 January 2020
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,

First, I thank Mr. Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA, for bringing us together at this important meeting.

I also must congratulate IRENA for your continued and strong focus on SIDS.

In the past few years, it is the SIDS which have shown courage, determination and visionary leadership in increasing their share of renewables in their energy mix.

Theirs is a MUST - renewables are a key factor in SIDS relentless strive to counter the already daunting and ever mounting climate crises challenges they face.

Their commitment to provide affordable and universal access to sustainable energy and their contribution to climate action are not words. It is an action commitment.

But they now and more urgently than ever need strong partners to support, to supplement their efforts in accelerating the energy transition.

As soon as I took up office, it was evident that OHRLLS has to stand ready to support SIDS in their energy transition.

So, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IRENA to strengthen the collaboration between our two offices in September last year.

My presence here also is testimony to our determination to strengthen this nascent collaboration. Together, we must build on this momentum through to the next phase of implementation of the SAMOA Pathway.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Allow me to look back for a short moment.

2019 provided several opportunities to discuss the global challenges SIDS face.

This ranged from the Climate Action Summit, the HLPF on Sustainable Development, the SAMOA Pathway Midterm Review to the COP25. The latter fell short of what we had hoped for.

But, in all these events, the representatives of SIDS spoke with a common voice and drew all our attention to their development concerns.

The bottom line remains that small islands are on the front line of climate change. It is their new mitigation commitments to the Paris Climate Agreement that puts SIDS on the forefront of ambitious climate action. This includes many SIDS pledging to reach 100% renewable energy by 2030.

The Secretary- General, the UN demand stronger and faster actions to respond to what has escalated into a climate emergency.

OHRLLS main mission is to advocate and OHRLLS will continue to advocate for climate resilience in SIDS.

The SIDS are not dealing with projected, theoretical dimensions projected by climate science. They live is in real time, now and disasters keep piling up.

For them, climate resilience equates with disaster resilience. It is not a luxury, it is a necessity.

Last year, we saw one of the strongest hurricanes in the history of Atlantic storms hit the Bahamas. This caused unprecedented loss of life and serious physical damages. One factor that is key to making a difference is what we are here to discuss: energy.

We are all familiar with the damage caused to SIDS by their fossil fuel economy dependence over and above the climate and pollution impacts: vulnerability to volatile market prices, prohibitively high costs of doing business, disadvantage in integrating into the global economy, and the world’s highest electricity prices.

The old way of doing things is absolutely unsustainable for SIDS – socially, economically, and environmentally.

It has long been recognized that renewable energy delivers socio-economic wellbeing.

Access to renewable technologies continues to decline in cost. Domestic generation will revolutionise the affordability of power, improving demand efficiency and expanding access to the poorest.

Renewables can reach the most remote islands and off-grid solutions can reach islands with small, dispersed populations.

This means more than immediate energy access that is sustainable - it means access to modern communications in remote areas, stronger household savings, greater business competitiveness, access to clean cooking…

In short, it is a win- win on all fronts.

Ladies and gentlemen,

SIDS have enormous potential for the development of renewable energy systems from diverse natural resources already available to them. But, with size and capacity limitations, it can be difficult to turn potential into reality.

What is a MUST now is for SIDS and partners to come together to forge practical pathways forward.

We need more focus on capacity building, sources of finance and determining the optimal mix of renewable sources and energy storage capacity for least-cost, reliable systems.

We also must ensure the energy transition translates into socioeconomic development, we must address productive use planning. This means planning for demand alongside supply and creating new energy driven business models. When supply and demand for renewable energy can sustain each other, this is how we create and nurture a sustainable transition.

SIDS cannot make the transition to 100% renewables without large emitters meeting their obligations for climate finance though. We must come through on the 100 Billion per year pledged for mitigation and adaptation in developing countries by this year 2020, as agreed in Copenhagen in 2009 - eleven years ago!

Development partners and SIDS must work cooperatively to create enabling environments for private sector investment in renewable energy projects. My Office launched the SIDS Global Business Network Forum in Samoa in 2014.

One of the focus areas of the Network is renewable energy and the network provides a platform for existing and new members of the SIDS GBN to meet and exchange best practices and to build partnerships. I encourage new partners, in particular from the private sector to join the Network, and to take part in the SIDS GBN Forum at Our Oceans Conference in Palau this August.

As a global community we must continue to strengthen our collaborative efforts to support sustainable energy development in Small Island Developing States. Let's stop talking. Let's just do it!

Thank you.

Front Page Article:

Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States - IRENA

Statement at the Virtual Event on the Energy Transformation in SIDS

Statement by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

15 September 2020 New York, USA

Statement at the High-Level Dialogue on Accelerating Energy Transition in Small Island Developing States to Stimulate Post Pandemic Recovery

Statement by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

1 June 2020 New York, USA

Opening Remarks at the 2020 IRENA Assembly

Opening Remarks by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

11 January 2020 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Remarks at the High-Level Meeting on Accelerating the Energy Transformation in Small Island Developing States Through Renewable Energy

Remarks by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

10 January 2020 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

15 September 2020
New York, USA

1 June 2020
New York, USA

11 January 2020
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

10 January 2020
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates