The Global Network on Energy and Sustainable Development (GNESD) participated at the International Conference and Utility Exhibition (ICUE) on Green Energy for Sustainable Development on 19-21 March 2014 in Thailand. Organised by the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), the ICUE 2014 conference served as a venue for exchanging research ideas, experiences, as well as technical, social, financial, economic and policy issues on greening energy utilization.
As a co-sponsor for the conference, a break out session on GENSD achievements, as well as energy access issues was organised on 21st March. Emmanuel Ackom of the UNEP Risø Centre (URC) and Programme Manager of GNESD presented GNESD missions, activities and study findings at the start of the session. He then further showcased ‘Biofuel sustainability in the global south: case studies from Asia, Africa and Latin America’. Eight presentations on energy access studies were presented, all followed by lively and engaging discussions. Xiao Wang from URC presented the GNESD knowledge base, covering its history, mission, special features and functionality, and its impacts as a support tool for knowledge sharing. The conference emerged as a space for exchange of innovative ideas and several case contributions were offered for improving the newly launched knowledge base.
GNESD is a UNEP facilitated knowledge network of Member Centres of Excellence and network partners worldwide. The main objective of GNESD is to carry out analysis and produce policy advice on energy related issues which can be instrumental in reaching the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) by increasing access to clean and affordable energy.
Further information about the ICUE conference proceedings can be found here.