Advancing SDG7 in Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

Abstract

The Policy Brief underscores urgent international attention is needed to address the inequalities in access to sustainable energy that are faced by the three groups of countries. Unless efforts are scaled up significantly in these countries, the world will fall short of its target of universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services by 2030. Supported by technological leapfrogging, faster deployment of renewables in the LDCs, LLDCs and the SIDS can help bridge the sustainable energy access gap, strengthen energy security and support climate goals. A major shift in strategy is required, however, to significantly increase these countries’ access to accessible and appropriate financing and support clean or low-carbon energy initiatives. The SDG7 Policy Briefs are developed in support of the High-level Political Forum which this year will review progress and action needed on SDG7. UN-OHRLLS as a member of the SDG7 Technical Advisory Group (SDG7 TAG), is the lead contributor to this Policy Brief on LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS.