As prepared for delivery

Excellencies, Distinguished partners, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to join you today. I thank the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO), the Permanent Mission of China, and all partners for their collaboration. UNDP is pleased to co-convene this discussion as part of the High-Level Political Forum.

We are entering a new energy reality. Electricity demand is growing more than twice as fast as overall energy demand, with emerging economies accounting for nearly 80% of global demand growth. Data-centre electricity demand is projected to nearly double by 2030, making reliable, affordable, clean power essential for AI-driven growth. 

At the same time, the rising prices of oil and gas and record heatwaves underscore the need for more resilient energy systems. Governments are therefore at a pivotal moment to turn the just energy transition into a driver of energy security, economic resilience and sustainable development. A just energy transition could reduce import bills by 38%, create 14 million jobs and lift 45 million people out of energy poverty by 2035. 

Three opportunities stand out.

First, strengthen energy security through investment in resilient grids and electricity infrastructure, creating the foundation for economic resilience and green industrial competitiveness.

As transport, industry, cooling, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) become increasingly electrified, reliable electricity systems are becoming the foundation of economic competitiveness. Yet more than 2,500 GW of renewable energy, storage, and industrial projects remain stalled because grid expansion is not keeping pace with demand. Expanding grids, storage and regional interconnections could unlock up to 1,600 GW of clean energy capacity.

China's ultra-high-voltage transmission network and planned USD 574 billion grid investment for 2026–2030 show why system integration matters. In Moldova, UNDP is supporting the deployment of more than 100,000 smart meters by 2027, enabling real-time energy management and greater integration of renewable energy. 

Second, unlock private capital for the energy transition by reducing investment risk and creating investment-ready markets.

The world has enough capital for energy, but too little reaches where development returns are greatest. 

Global clean energy investment reached USD 2.3 trillion in 2025, and total energy investment is projected to reach USD 3.4 trillion in 2026. Yet many developing countries attract only a small share of these flows because financing costs remain two to three times higher than in advanced economies. The opportunity is therefore to strengthen enabling policies, reduce risk and develop bankable project pipelines that crowd in private capital. 

Through initiatives such as the Platform for Investment Support and Technical Assistance (PISTA), UNDP is preparing investment-ready pipelines across Africa, while the De-Risking Renewable Energy Investment (DREI) Framework, implemented through the Africa Minigrids Programme in 21 countries, helps lower the cost of capital and unlock private investment.

Third, harness digitalization, data and artificial intelligence to maximize the value of energy investments. 

As electricity systems become more complex, digital infrastructure is becoming as important as physical infrastructure. AI, data and smart grids can optimize electricity demand, improve grid flexibility and integrate more renewable energy. Digitally enabled demand response alone could reduce renewable curtailment by more than 25 percent by 2030.

At UNDP, this is the vision behind the Sustainable Energy Digital Platform, including the Sustainable Energy Academy, which combines AI, geospatial intelligence and data analytics to strengthen energy planning guide investment decisions. 

This is also where UNDP's partnership with GEIDCO adds value. Through our Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), we are advancing grid interconnections and digital energy solutions to help countries build smarter, more resilient electricity systems

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Through Climate Promise Forward and our integrated energy offer, UNDP helps countries move from Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) commitments to delivery. UNDP supports 398 active energy projects across 131 countries, benefiting 81.5 million people directly and an estimated 100 million indirectly.

UNDP looks forward to working with the Government of China, GEIDCO and partners across the UN system to translate a just energy transition into a development opportunity.

Thank you.