A senior United Nations official has stated that the global shift towards clean energy will persist, with India and China taking a leading role, despite the recent withdrawal of the United States from crucial multilateral climate organizations. This development follows President Donald Trump's decision to exit 66 international bodies, including UN Energy and the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
Multilateralism More Critical Than Ever
In an exclusive interview, Damilbiyi Ogunbiyi, the CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All and co-chair of UN-Energy, emphasized that the principles of multilateral cooperation are now more relevant than ever. She argued that the current volatile global landscape underscores the need for forums like the UN where nations can collaborate.
"We cannot crack because of one member state, regardless of how big they are," Ogunbiyi stated, addressing the impact of the US exit. "We were born in a time after a war. So we're used to crisis, and we thrive in crisis." She expressed confidence in the UN system's ability to find solutions and maintain focus on global common goals, including energy access for all.
The Financing Challenge and New Pathways
A significant obstacle highlighted is the persistent shortfall in climate financing for developing nations. Ogunbiyi pointed out that Africa received only 4% of global renewable energy investments, a figure she described as grossly insufficient. The lack of innovative financing tools, rather than technology, is seen as the primary bottleneck to achieving universal energy access.
To address this, UN Energy is collaborating with entities like the International Solar Alliance, Africa 50, and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority to mobilize capital locally. The focus is on tapping into African pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and local investors. A key initiative is 'Mission 300', backed by the World Bank and African Development Bank, which aims to connect 300 million Africans to energy by 2030 with about $40 billion in concessional financing.
India and China at the Forefront
Ogunbiyi identified India and China as pivotal players in redrawing the global energy roadmap. She highlighted India's substantial progress, where non-fossil power capacity surged by 22.6% to 266.78 GW in 2025. This includes 135.81 GW of solar power and 54.51 GW of wind power. India's target is to reach 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030.
"The scale and the expertise... the Indian experience, the Indian government, Indian people are also very familiar to Africa, and you need that when you're implementing projects," she said, suggesting India's model could be replicated in other developing regions. Countries like Indonesia and Vietnam are also making strides, but the scale of India and China's efforts positions them as leaders.
The official acknowledged that the global energy transition has slowed due to financing gaps and some nations reverting to fossil fuels post-pandemic. The US exit from the Paris Agreement may further delay climate targets. Experts, including from KPMG, have conceded that the goal of limiting warming to 1.5°C is unlikely to be met. However, the determination of developing nations to pursue their energy pathways, supported by alliances like the ISA, signals an unwavering commitment to a sustainable energy future.
