DUSHANBE, June 18, 2014, Asia-Plus -- Tajik delegation, led Minister of Energy and Water Resources Usmonali Usmonzoda and comprising officials from the ministries of finance, and energy and water resources, is attending the 9th Asia Clean Energy Forum that is taking place at the Asian Development bank (ADB)’s Manila headquarters between June 16 and 20.

According to the ADB Tajikistan Resident Mission (TJRM), the forum has attracted nearly 1,000 participants, including policymakers, project developers, investors, and technical experts to discuss sustainable energy development in the region.

A high-level ministerial dialogue, that included energy ministers from Bhutan, Japan, Maldives, Philippines, and Tajikistan, is discussing the three-fold energy problem of energy affordability, sustainability, and energy security.

In meetings ahead of the forum, ADB signed a memorandum of understanding with the Abu Dhabi-based International Renewable Energy Agency to share knowledge on clean and renewable energy solutions.

On June 18, the 9th Asia Clean Energy Forum saw the launch of a Sustainable Energy for All hub for Asia Pacific, aimed at mobilizing investment and finding innovative ways to bring clean, modern energy to the people of Asia and the Pacific.

“Developing Asia is home to the majority of the world’s energy poor, more than 600 million without access to electricity and around 1.8 billion people still using fuels like firewood or charcoal to cook their food and heat their homes,” said Bindu Lohani, ADB’s Vice-President for Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development.  “But we can overcome energy poverty through sustainable, low-carbon energy means, and through this new hub we are gathering together investors, innovators, and experts to make this happen.”

The hub is a partnership of the ADB, which will manage and host the facility, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

It is one of three regional hubs under the global Sustainable Energy for All Initiative set up in 2011 by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon with three objectives to be met by 2030: to ensure universal access to modern energy services; double the annual global rate of improvement in energy efficiency; and double the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

The hub will leverage the existing structures of ADB, UNDP and ESCAP energy programs and support to countries in conducting rapid assessments, building constructive dialogue on policy, and catalyzing investments and mobilizing bilateral and global funds for clean energy development.

Asia’s demand for energy is soaring as the region’s economies expand apace and as populations move to cities where energy use is higher.  By 2035, developing Asia will account for 56% of global primary energy use, up from 34% in 2010.  This needs to be met by increasing the use of renewable energy and by achieving greater energy efficiency if the environment is to be safeguarded.

The International Energy Agency estimates that Asia and the Pacific will need investments of more than $200 billion to provide full access to energy by 2030.

Energy access, renewable energy development, and energy efficiency are priorities at ADB.  In 2013, ADB invested $2.3 billion in clean energy and has pledged to continue investments of at least $2 billion per year.