In recognition of the importance of energy access for sustainable economic development, the United Nations General Assembly has designated 2012 as the “International Year of Sustainable Energy for All”.

In support of the above declaration, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is now organizing a Global Ministerial level “International Seminar on Energy Access” from 9 – 10 October 2012 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Ministers and senior delegates from over 50 countries are expected to participate in this Seminar. The Plenary Session will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India on 09 October 2012 and will be followed by a Ministerial Session.

The Seminar proposes to bring together multiple stakeholders including Ministers, senior policy planners, multilateral and bilateral agencies and civil society working on delivery of energy to develop integrated sustainable and affordable solutions to energy access. The focus will be to promote development of renewable energy by removing barriers impeding rise of renewable energy and its deployment in large scale for attaining sustainable energy for all. It will provide an opportunity to participating countries, organizations and the experts to showcase policy initiatives and best practices, exchange views, experiences and innovative solutions on energy access.

According to the tentative agenda drawn in consultation with stakeholders there would be twelve technical sessions running concurrently on two days covering topics such as Policy and  Regulation for meeting target of Energy for All; Financing Energy Access; Solar Power for Energy Access; Use of local energy sources of energy access other than Solar in rural areas; and Business Models for stand alone grids.

UN bodies and International organizations such as UNDP, UNIDO, World Bank, Asian Development Bank and GIZ have committed to host parallel sessions. In addition, Ministries of Power, Petroleum & Natural Gas and Coal are also actively participating in the 2-day Event. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is providing Organizational support

The Event is being organized under the close supervision of broad based Steering and Organizational Committees consisting of representative from National and International Agencies and headed by Secretary and Joint Secretary, MNRE, respectively.

The Seminar is open to Government, Inter-Governmental Organisations, International/Multi-National Organisations, Non-Profit Organisations and Industry, Corporate and Business Institutions.

Participation is free for the following categories:

·           No delegate Registration fee shall be charged for delegates attending the Seminar from participating governments, Inter-Governmental organizations and non-profit organizations invited for the Event.

·           No fee shall be charged for Researchers and Academia from Institutes (with ID proof) for attending the seminar. However, the number of such participants shall be restricted to 2 researchers/fellows and 2 academicians per institute invited for the Event.

Interested parties from India and abroad are invited to participate in the Seminar. Pre-registration is mandatory and can be done either via Seminar website: www.energyaccess.in or by contacting CII at isea@cii.in.  Details of the Seminar and various technical sessions are available on the website: http://www.energyaccess.in. For any clarification please e-mail to: isea.mnre@nic.in.

UM/KM