International Energy Conference 2009

Towards an Integrated Energy Agenda Beyond 2020: Securing Sustainable Policies and Investments

22-24 June 2009, Vienna, Austria

With the onset of the financial crisis and global economic downturn, there is mounting concern that urgently-needed energy and climate-related investments may be adversely affected. However, the current economic turmoil could also create new markets and enable global “green growth” based on a re-built financial system that stimulates private competition to fund low carbon technologies and systems.  

The International Energy Conference 2009 provided a platform for high-level policymakers and world-renowned private sector and civil society representatives from developing and industrialized countries to discuss energy issues in the context of the current global financial and economic crisis. This Conference stressed the need for increased international cooperation and highlighted the role the United Nations system and the development partners can play in the field of energy. In this context, the conference served as an opportunity to:    

• Bring together some 500 participants from all corners of the world providing an overview of very different opinions and an opportunity to find common ground for solutions;

• Shift the debate on energy and development in times of economic and financial crisis beyond generalities and identify specific courses of action;

• Initiate and advance regional and international co-operation in dedicated result-oriented working sessions;

• Unveil the landmark Global Energy Assessment by IIASA;

• Celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Global Forum on Sustainable Energy (GFSE);

• Contribute to the shaping of global climate policy by providing inputs to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15) in Copenhagen;

• Present new international energy initiatives such as, e.g., the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).