Head-quartered at United Nations Plaza in New York, the Global Energy Initiative (GEI) aims at tackling the issue of energy poverty in the poorest countries of the world, and has as its mission to create “a new energy paradigm that will contribute to more equitable economic and social development—to the benefit of humanity in general—and to the developing and least developed countries in particular”.
Majid Jafar, who is also Managing Director of the Board of Dana Gas PJSC and a Board Member of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce, was elected Deputy Chairman of the Global Energy Initiative (GEI) by the Board of Directors of the international organization, which includes former ministers and UN officials, leading academics, experts and corporate CEOs.
According to Jafar, one of the most important elements of GEI’s work is its dedication to the broader principles and guidelines adopted by the UN for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will contribute to the success of “2014-2024: The Decade of Sustainable Energy for All” – a historical effort by the international community to fight energy poverty and strengthen global energy security, while protecting the environment and mitigating the effects of climate change.
“Like food, shelter, and medicine – access to affordable energy for all people must be viewed as an international objective, which will require cooperation and coordination on a global scale to achieve in a sustainable manner that encourages development,” Majid Jafar, CEO of Crescent Petroleum and Deputy Chairman of the Global Energy Initiative (GEI), said.
“I am honoured to have been elected as Deputy Chairman by the Board of Directors of this esteemed organization, which is dedicated to tackling the issues of energy poverty in the poorest countries and sustainable energy for all,” he added.
Among its other activities the GEI will be hosting the “Global Conference on Energy Sustainability and Security” at United Nations Headquarters in New York on 11th and 12th December of this year, in partnership with governments from across the world. The conference will help to establish the vision, priorities, and action plans necessary for creating a new global sustainable energy paradigm that will contribute to more equitable economic and social development, benefiting all nations and people, strengthening the role of public-private partnerships, and promoting understanding between developed and developing countries on energy policies, technology transfer, and sharing best practices. The conference will also provide a unique platform where leaders across the wide spectrum of energy industry, government, academia, finance, and non-profit sector can openly discuss and take firm steps towards a seamless transition from fossil fuel economy to clean energy economy.
The many other aspects of the work of the Global Energy Initiative (GEI) includes organising public discussion forums; educating the public on judicious energy use, environmental protection, and the effects of climate change; promoting research and technological advancement on energy efficiency; and supporting projects that help to eliminate energy poverty. The GEI also publishes Global Energy Affairs, a sustainable energy journal and newsletter promulgating international best practice in the field, and is leading the “Light up a Village” campaign, which aims to provide electricity to energy impoverished populations in the poorest countries through sustainable means in partnership with companies worldwide.