T he ENERGYNOW SDG7 Action Forum 2025 highlighted that ‘progress on SDG 7 targets has been insufficient, with energy poverty, increasing demand, and the need for rapid decarbonization continuing to present major challenges’.
over 660 million people still lack access to basic electricity (85% of them living in Africa), and around two billion people lack access to clean cooking.
at the same time, the Action Forum highlighted successes, including USD 1.6 trillion in investment pledged by 2030 through Energy Compacts – voluntary commitments by countries, businesses, and other actors to advance global clean energy goals. Convening in the margins of the HighLevel Week of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), a dedicated forum sought to review progress towards SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), sustain momentum on energy action, and drive ambition in the lead up to the third review of SDG 7 by the UN Highlevel Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in 2026 and the SDG Summit in 2027, which will kick of official discussions on the direction of sustainable development beyond 2030.
the ENERGYNOW SDG7 Action Forum 2025 highlighted that ‘progress on SDG 7 targets has been insufficient, with energy poverty, increasing demand, and the need for rapid decarbonization continuing to present major challenges,’ the Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) summary report of the meeting notes. Over 660 million people still lack access to basic electricity (85% of them living in Africa), and around two billion people lack access to clean cooking.