The 2015 International Energy Agency (IEA) Ministerial, meeting under the theme ‘Innovation for a Clean, Secure Energy Future,' will emphasize the importance of increased cooperation among IEA member countries, emerging economies and the business community. The Ministerial meeting, which convenes every two years, helps set strategic priorities for the IEA. The IEA Secretariat digests what has been discussed and develops ideas for existing or new work programmes, which it then presents to the Governing Board of the IEA. Ministerial meetings also enable member countries to agree to undertake domestic or collective actions in the field of energy policy. Ministers from the 29 IEA member countries, nine partner countries (Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Morocco, South Africa and Thailand plus one candidate country for accession, Chile) and representatives from the African Union (AU), the EU, the Nuclear Energy Agency and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) are expected to attend the 2015 IEA Ministerial Meeting in Paris. CEOs from the IEA Energy Business Council representing companies active in energy or related fields will also attend. The meeting will be chaired by US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz. [ more details @ http://energy-l.iisd.org/events/2015-international-energy-agency-ministerial/ ]

The first International Forum on Public-Private Partnerships for Sustainable Development will explore how public-private partnerships (PPPs) can contribute to sustainable development. The forum will focus on PPPs as tools to advance sustainable development at the local level, as impactful PPPs can be used not only for large-scale national projects, but also for smaller local-level projects. Amina Mohammed, UN Special Adviser on Post 2015 Development Planning, will give a keynote address. This forum will include plenary sessions on the role of PPPs in combating climate change and the specificities of PPPs at the local level, as well as technical workshops to learn about the legal and financial aspects of PPPs. It will also include a ‘Good Practices Forum,' organized with the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). In addition, the forum will provide the space to showcase examples of successful PPPs in the sectors of transport, energy, water supply and waste management. The Forum is being organized jointly by the Government of France, the Agglomeration of Annemasse and the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), in partnership with other UN agencies. [ more details @ http://energy-l.iisd.org/events/first-international-forum-on-public-private-partnerships-for-sustainable-development/ ]

The 10th Meeting of the Council of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is expected to consider the draft work programme, draft budget and reports on progress in implementing the current Work Programme and Budget. IRENA's Council convenes twice per year, is accountable to the Assembly and is composed of 21 IRENA members who are elected on a rotating basis every two years. Council meetings normally last for two days and feature strategic discussions on the way forward of the Agency and future activities. [ more details @ http://energy-l.iisd.org/events/10th-meeting-of-the-irena-council/ ]

The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) will convene the 2nd meeting of the Group of Experts on Renewable Energy. Discussions will include: a report on the implementation of the Work Plan 2014–2015; progress made in renewable energy uptake, including key messages and next steps from the ongoing status report in the region; the UNECE's role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) on energy, and contributing to global actions on climate change mitigation and adaptation, including the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 21) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Other topics include: the International Forum on Energy for Sustainable Development; cross-cutting issues and coordination of work on renewable energy; renewal of the Mandate and Draft Work Plan of the Group of Experts on Renewable Energy for 2016–2017; and key messages for the Committee on Sustainable Energy. The Group of Experts on Renewable Energy was established to advance renewable energy and energy for all in the UNECE region. It also facilitates regulatory and policy dialogue and sharing of best practices, with a view to increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. [ more details @ http://energy-l.iisd.org/events/second-session-of-the-group-of-experts-on-renewable-energy/ ]