Pursuing efforts to limit the increase in global average temperature to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels as per the Paris Agreement will require, inter alia, innovative, equitable and sustainable approaches to decarbonize the economy and comprehensive energy transition at the global scale, and both climate and development objectives must be realized hand-in-hand. In addition to climate goals, a just energy transition can also catalyse the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Transforming energy systems will generate new jobs, advance access to clean and modern energy, and empower people and societies for more resilient and prosperous nations.

To achieve climate commitments and build resilience to the increasing adverse impacts of climate change, developing countries are in need of international support in terms of finance, technologies, knowledge and capacity building so as to effectively build and implement low-carbon development pathways. Developed countries had pledged to collectively mobilize US$100 billion a year in climate finance by 2020, however they did not achieve this target, and it is expected that this goal will only be achieved this year – in 2023 In the context of climate finance having become more and more limited due to global economic constraints and resource scattering to respond to new global challenges, in the next decade, countries will need to continue to explore different opportunities and sources for climate finance.

Against this backdrop, “Just Energy Transition Partnerships” (JETPs) can be an option. These are ambitious, long-term partnerships to support and accelerate low-emission and climate-resilient development in newly emerging economies, are becoming an integral part of the global energy transition. At the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), South Africa and an International Partners Group (IPG) announced the first JETP. Viet Nam and Indonesia have since agreed JETPs with the IPG2 in November and December 2022 respectively as well.

Countries have unique priorities, challenges and needs in transforming their energy systems. Furthermore, they are all at vastly different stages in the implementation of their energy transitions. At the same time, the concept of a “just” energy transition is a new concept and involves transformative and deep changes to various sectors and industries and there is a need for enhanced dialogue between them for improved understanding, cooperation and planning.

In recognizing the significance of experience sharing, open dialogue and knowledge transfer, the Government of Viet Nam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Viet Nam have taken the initiative to convene an international workshop in Ha Noi and online. The workshop will focus on the sharing of international experiences, identify opportunities for collaboration and advance the application of best available technology (BAT) related to the just energy transition.

The workshop will include three sessions. The first session will cover the formulation, implementation and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of the JETP Resource Mobilization Plans (RMPs)/Investment Plans (IPs), and priority setting. The second session will focus on finance and BAT for the energy transition, as well as its social aspects. There will also be opportunities to discuss potentiality for international cooperation, including South-South cooperation and exchange of national experiences, lessons learned and best practices in a plenary discussion in Session 3.

The event is envisaged to host over 300 participants in a hybrid meeting format, combining physical and virtual participation of government officials and representatives from key ministries that operate in sectors relevant to the energy transition in Viet Nam, Indonesia, India, South Africa, Kazakhstan, Senegal, the Philippines, Brazil, Pakistan and Bangladesh; representatives from donor countries and GFANZ; technical experts from UNDP; representatives from regional and international organizations engaged in the energy transition; representatives from International Financial Institutions (IFIs) such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB); and representatives from local NGOs.

Time: 13:00-17:30, Friday, 26 May 2023 (Ha Noi Time, GMT+7)
Venue: International Convention Centre, 11 Le Hong Phong, Ha Noi