At Global Leadership Council Meeting
Monrovia, Liberia – In order to expedite impoverished areas’ access to energy, President Joseph N. Boakai has called for coordinated measures. President Boakai made the appeal at the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) Leadership Council meeting on the fringes of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79) in New York City, according to an Executive Mansion dated September 24, 2024.
Global leaders convened at the high-profile event, co-chaired by Dr. Rajiv Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation, and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, to deliberate on expediting efforts to guarantee universal access to electricity and promoting a just energy transition in low- and middle-income nations, such as Liberia. A lively fireside conversation involving Presidents Akin Adesina of the African Development Bank Group and Ajay Banga of the World Bank Group kicked off the event. CNN International served as the event moderator.
Both organizations made a historic pledge to power 300 million people in Africa by 2030. This significant endeavor is in line with the Global Energy Alliance’s goal of removing obstacles to the global scaling of just energy transitions while limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
During his speech, President Boakai praised the GEAPP, the World Bank, and the African Development Bank for their bold, transformative commitments to electrify the African continent.
He described the event as a “meeting of hope,” highlighting the possibility that the audacious objectives of the GEAPP may be accomplished via teamwork. Energy access, according to President Boakai, should be seen as a basic human right rather than a luxury, highlighting its vital role in promoting sustainable development and raising living standards for millions of Africans, including those in Liberia.
“Energy access must be seen as a human right. The success of the GEAPP’s initiative to electrify Africa is critical, not just for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, but for securing the future of our people and our planet.”
He reassured the world community that Liberia is standing with all of its partners in this endeavor and asked them to hold firm to their promise. According to the Liberian leader, his involvement demonstrates the country’s unwavering dedication to promoting energy access and tackling climate change in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN. He gave an overview of Liberia’s plans for an inclusive energy transition that places an emphasis on building infrastructure and renewable energy sources while empowering local populations and promoting economic development.
In addition, President Boakai recognized the rising significance of international cooperation in achieving Africa’s energy transformation objectives. Liberia hopes to make the most of its natural resources and advance clean and sustainable energy initiatives that will benefit all of its population by cooperating with organizations like the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and international energy players. Mr. Boakai restated Liberia’s unwavering commitment to cooperating with international partners to remove obstacles and hasten the transition to universal energy access.
Another important participant, Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, praised the World Bank and African Development Bank with other notables for their unwavering commitment to electrifying the continent. The conference, which was widely seen as a turning moment in the worldwide fight against energy poverty, also made clear how important it is to find climate-friendly, sustainable solutions that support Africa’s goals for socioeconomic growth.
This gathering is evidence of Liberia’s consistent commitment to improving energy access, combating climate change, and fostering inclusive growth for its people as the GEAPP Leadership Council continues to set the global agenda for a fair and sustainable energy transition.
Together, governments, development banks, charitable foundations, and businesses from the private sector form the GEAPP, which aims to assist low- and middle-income nations in their attempts to switch to sustainable energy sources. The goal of GEAPP is to promote fair and inclusive economic growth while hastening the availability of inexpensive, dependable, and sustainable power for all people.
