The HIO welcomes the G20s vision and leadership role to support collaborative efforts to ensure increased access to clean energy.

The Energy Access Action Plan delivered by the Sustainable Energy for All Initiative (SE4All) to the G20 Energy Sustainability Working Group was adopted on October 2 in Istanbul at the G20 Energy Ministers meeting. In particular, it lends its support to collaborative efforts such as those of the SE4All Clean Energy Mini-Grids High Impact Opportunity (HIO) including the Africa-focused Green Mini-Grid Market Development Program.

The HIO welcomes the G20s vision and leadership role to support collaborative efforts to ensure increased access to clean energy. The endorsement of the plan comes in a timely fashion with last weeks adoption by world leaders of the 17 new global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty and hunger by 2030. With goal seven to "ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all", clean energy is finally being recognised as a key enabler for sustainable development.

Tripta Singh, UNF (HIO Secretariat): "We welcome the G20 Energy Access Action Plan supporting the Sustainable Energy for All High Impact Opportunity on Clean Energy Mini-grids. Decentralised and mini-grid energy solutions have an important role to play in ensuring universal access to energy. This endorsement by G20 will help build the momentum to move the decentralised renewable energy sector forward."

Marcus Wiemann, ARE (HIO Secretariat): "It is encouraging to see universal access to clean energy becoming an even higher global priority for sustainable development. To continue supporting clean energy mini-grids, ARE is committed to working through the HIO for Clean Energy Mini-Grids, to enable access to finance and support de-risking mechanisms. We are confident these tools will raise further interest amongst involved parties."

Dean Cooper, UNEP (current Chair of the HIO Steering Committee): "This endorsement from the G20 reflects their understanding of the growing need for practical action to ensure increased access to clean energy. The HIO for Clean Energy Mini-Grids is bringing key players like UNEP together with financiers, policy makers and technology providers to deliver sustainable benefits to local people, and shows how SE4All can add real value."