Greater investment in clean energy infrastructure will contribute to Asia and the Pacific’s recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and make economies more flexible against future shocks, members at the Asia Clean Energy Forum (ACEF) 2020 said.
“It is clear that the COVID-19 crisis has made tackling climate change and other development issues an even bigger challenge,” stated ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa in his initial statements.
“However, the situation offers opportunities and we must now seize the chance to rebuild smartly. As the region’s leading clean energy event, ACEF is the ideal forum to discuss these opportunities and ensure that clean energy plays a core role in helping Asia and the Pacific emerge stronger than before,” Asakawa added.
Co-hosted by ADB, the USAID, and the Korea Energy Agency, ACEF takes place from 15–19 June greeting more than 4,000 delegates including policymakers, energy specialists, private sector participants, and members of civil society organizations from around the world to the online event.
On its 15th anniversary, ACEF is being organized as a virtual program, live streamed-only event in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure energy efficiency. Enrolled delegates can obtain all 28 sessions and side events, participate in panel Q&As, and network with other participants through a dedicated web app and state-of-the-art technology. This format ensures participants’ health and safety and decreases the expenses and greenhouse gas emissions associated with holding a physical event.
This year’s theme was Vision 20/20. Cross-sectoral Innovations for a Sustainable Future examines the roadmap for achieving nations’ energy-related nationally determined contributions under the Paris Agreement; innovations at the nexus of energy, transport, and urban development; and building energy sector resilience, particularly in fragile and small island countries.
