This new Forum will present solutions to today’s energy and climate question under UNIDO’s new motto “Progress by Innovation”. We have technologies to address these questions on a global level. What we need is ambition. I invite all stakeholders to present their contributions.

Climate and energy policy are two sides of the same coin – this forum helps to tackle both issues together. And there is no time to lose – the multiple and interlocking crises have shown that we need to step up our ambition to accelerate the expansion of renewable energies and innovative solutions in the energy sector – not only for the sake of the climate and secure energy supplies for all, but also to secure peace. Therefore, this event fits perfectly with the new claim ‘International Vienna – Center for Dialogue, Sustainability and Security.

There is no climate policy without energy transition – it’s as simple as that. We cannot effectively tackle climate change without promoting energy efficiency and renewable energies. I am confident that the International Vienna Energy and Climate Forum will help us shape the way forward in tackling the challenges lying ahead.

The new International Vienna Energy and Climate Forum will act as a springboard to the upcoming UN Climate Conference of the Parties (COP 28) in Dubai. A focus must and should be on climate action and making progress on the urgent matter of climate finance. The importance of right-scaling the financial commitments for real impact is imperative. Together with the urgent need to rapidly scale back on fossil fuels, these are key hurdles holding us back from immediate climate progress. The forum will serve to catalyze the key ingredient of political commitment to this common cause for humanity.