(Part 1) Safeguarding energy and supply flows: Supporting global development through international cooperation - Economic and Social Council, Special meeting, 2026 Session

Good morning, Excellencies, distinguished colleagues.
Ladies and gentlemen, I call to order the special meeting of the Economic and Social Council on safeguarding the energy and supply flows, supporting global development through international cooperation.
Possibly, let me deliver my opening remarks.
Excellencies, distingu delegates, Under Secretary-General Le Noa, dear colleagues, I'm pleased to welcome you to the special meeting of the Economic and Social Council on safeguarding energy and supply flows, supporting global development through international cooperations.
I would also like to express my appreciation to the members of the Bureau of Ecosoc.
His Excellency Omar Benza, permanent representative of Algeria, His Excellency, P Sanian Permanent representative of Armenia, His Excellency Wellington Dens Komp, permanent representative of the Dominican Republic, and His Excellency Hector Gomez Hernandez, Permanent representative of Spain for their very strong support in convening this timely meeting.
Excellencies, we meet at a pivotal moment for the global economy and for sustainable development.
Disruptions in energy supply and critical supply chains are reping across economies.
They are affecting industries, they are affecting markets, and more importantly, they are affecting the daily lives of the people everywhere.
This is not only an energy challenge.
It is a development challenge.
It is a financing challenge.
And above all, it is a taste of our collective ability to deliver on the promise of the 2030 agenda.
Today, nearly every regions of the world is feeling the effects of these disruptions.
Global growth prospects of 2026 have weakened, financial volatility has increased, and developing countries are facing rising borrowing costs, deteriorating the terms of the trade and mounting fiscal pressures.
Across continents, many developing countries and economies are being affected through multiple transmission channels, rising fuel and transport costs, food price inflation, disruptions in trade and tourism, lower remittance flows, and tighter financial conditions.
Countries in special situations, including the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, and small island developing states are among the most exposed.
The impacts on trade and supply chains are particularly severe.
Disruptions along key maritime and energy corridors are slowing global trade and increasing costs throughout the global value chains.
Global fuel prices are now estimated to be more than 100% above the 2025 appraise, while jet fuel prices have risen sharply, disrupting aviations, tourisms and the movement of the goods worldwide.
Across the world, Rising energy and transport costs are driving up the prices of food and essential goods.
These prices are cascading across economies by disrupting production, constraining trade and fueling broader inflationary dynamics that affect every sector.
The global agriul system is also under growing strain.
Fertilizer prices are projected to remain 15 to 20% higher during the first half of the 2026 if disruptions persist.
This carries serious implications for agricultural production, farm incomes, and food prices worldwide, particularly for countries already grappling with constrained fiscal space and high import dependence.
Food importing countries in Sub Saharan Africa and South Asia are particularly vulnerable.
Sustained disruptions could affect planting decisions for key crops such as wheat, rice, maize, reducing ills and increasing risk of food insecurity in the months ahead.
Similarly, tourism dependent economies are also under pressure.
Initial assessment point to a decline of 12-23% in international tourism arrival in the Middle East regions in 2026, equivalent to the losses of up to $35 billion in tourism revenues.
These stocks are not contained to the regions alone.
The ripple effects are already being felt across Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and the other small island developing states whose economic lifelines depend heavily on tourism and hospitality sectors.
Excellencies.
Many governments are being forced into difficult trade offs between responding to immediate pressures and safeguarding critical investments in infrastructures, in social protections, and essential services.
For developing countries, Already burdened by high debt, the challenges are particularly severe.
For many, the path to sustainable development is becoming steeper and it is becoming more uncertain.
The consequences are not only economic, they are also social and humane.
More than 32 million additional people are at risk of being pushed into poverty globally, as a result of the combined suck up rising energy prices, higher food costs, and weakening economic growth.
Women, children and young people are among those most affected.
In many developing countries, food and energy account for more than half of the household spending.
Women, particularly those working in informal and low income sectors, are disproportionately affected by inflationary pressures, reduced access to services, and the growing burden of unpaid care work.
Excellencies, distinguz delegates.
The Economic and Social Council was created precisely for moments like this to conven, to connect, and to catalyze solutions to complex global challenges and translate said experiences into coordinated and collective actions.
Moments when global challenges demand global responses, the moments when no country can act alone.
Today, we must rise fully to that responsibility.
We must identify practical responses that protect the most vulnerable, stabilize economies, and keep us on track toward the sustainable development goals.
We must strengthen cooperations across countries, across institutions, and across sectors to ensure that solutions are said, they are inclusive, and they are effective.
We must preserve the openness, predictability, and resilience of the international trade and supply networks while accelerating investments in sustainable and diversified energy systems that reduce vulnerabilities and strengthen long term resilience.
We must mobilize the full capacity of the United Nations systems alongside international financial institutions, multilateral development banks, the private sector, and civil society.
We must remain guided by one principle above all that even in times of disruptions, our commitment to sustainable development and to deliver better for our people must not waver.
Excellency, The question before us is not whether these stocks will affect us.
They already are.
The question is whether we respond through fragmentations and reaction or through cooperation, through solidarity, and through shared responsibility.
This moment calls for resolve, but also for visions.
We act together When we act together, we can not only navigate this moment, but also lay the foundations for more resilient energy systems, more secure supply chains, and more inclusive and sustainable development pathways.
Let us use this meeting to advance that responses and propose.
Let us act with urgency and responsibility to support a more secure, more equitable and more sustainable future for all.
I thank you.
I now invite the Under Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Mr.
Lee Choir, to deliver a statement.
Thank you.
President of the Economic and Social Council, distinguished Vice Presidents of the EcoSc Excency, distinguished delegates and participants.
It is an honor for me to join you today at this very special meeting on behalf of the S General.
As President just now highlighted, this meeting is convened at a critical moment as the world intensified efforts to strengthen international cooperation in addressing the disruption in energy and supply flows and their implications for global development.
These disruptions are straining an already fragile global economy, driving market volatility, weakening growth, rising inflation, and tightening financial conditions.
For many developing countries, particularly those in special situation, the consequences are much more severe.
High dependence on imported fuel, food and fertilizers, combined with rising borrowing costs and mounting debt burdens.
Is constraining physical space and limiting policy options.
These pressures are further compounded by exchange rate depreciation, capital outflows, and dwindling trade and remnant flows.
Safeguarding energy and supply flows is therefore not just an economic imperative, it is a fundamental requirement for achieving inclusive and sustainable development.
Excellencies distinguished delegates.
Access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy as set out in Sustainable Development Goal seven underpins the progress across the 2030 agenda.
Delivering on SDG seven and addressing today's intersecting crisis requires coordinated forward looking action on four fronts First, the energy and commodity markets must remain open, transparent, and predictable, avoiding measures that could further disrupt supply.
Second, financing must be scaled up.
Many developing countries urgently need greater access to affordable and concessional finance to manage immediate economic pressures while sustaining essential investments.
Third, investing in resilient and sustainable energy systems is essential, including renewable energy, robust power grids, and decentralized solutions.
This will require to enhanced international cooperation and significantly increased investment.
Fourth, the international community must accelerate progress towards the SDG seventh and fully harness its transformative potential.
The high level political forum on sustainable development in July, PPS offers another critical opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy as the foundation for resilience, inclusive growth and sustainable development.
At the same time, short term responses measures must be carefully balanced with long term sustainability objectives with many governments already operating under severe fiscal constraints, policy responses must prioritize those who are more or the most vulnerable.
Excellencies, distinguished participants.
The United Nations system is committed to supporting member states.
We are leveraging our analytical capacity, operational presence, and convening power to advance the coordinated system wide responses, including through the global action plan for the United Nations Decade of Sustainable Energy for all.
Strengthening international cooperation, including with the international financial institutions, larger development banks, and other stakeholders is essential to deliver solutions at scale and speed required.
Excellencies.
The challenge before us are significant, but with collective action, they are not insurmountable with coordinated action, sustainable investment, and a renewed commitment to multilateralism.
We can build more resilient energy systems, secure supply chains, and further promote inclusive and sustainable development pathways.
The UN system stands ready to support member states in advancing the shared objectives.
Thank you.
I thank the Under Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs for such statement.
I now invite the council to hear a keynote address by her Excellency Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbatos and the chair of the Sustainable Development Goals advocates Group by prerecorded video.
Please play the video.
Excellencies all.
I say the word energy and you ask why.
We must have the energy to make energy work.
We must have the energy for energy.
That is my charge today, courage, imagination, and discipline to turn a crisis in supply into a compact for development.
I say my friends that I want to thank the President of EcoSo for convening us.
Energy is just never energy.
It is medicine, it is food, it is learning, it is work, it is dignity in a household and sovereignty in a nation.
The Security Council, my friends, must work on peace and security.
Songs basic, but we need to focus on it.
This council must work on the economics of survival.
The crisis in the Middle East travels through shipping lanes, insurance premium, fuel prices, and public budgets.
It arrives as the delayed medical shipment.
It arrives in the higher bus fare, it arrives in a smaller plate for Barbados and indeed the Wider Caribbean.
This is not theory.
Barbadoes imports over 85% of its energy.
The Caribbean imports over 80% of its food.
Small size does not soften the shock.
It often makes it faster and more expensive.
Across the global South, one disruption can become a balance of payments crisis, a social crisis, or indeed worse than all of that, a crisis of trust.
Our first duty, my friends, is peace.
Parties to conflict must exercise restraint, must protect civilians and always must find the path back to dialogue.
The truth is it is easy to declare war, but not so easy to stop warfare.
The second duty must be development.
That's why we exist as governments.
That's why we exist as international organizations, bringing development to ordinary people, a world that mobilizes for war, must recognize the importance to mobilize for clean power, for resilient ports, for food and water security, for storage, for insurance, and indeed for systems that keep societies alive and allow for sustainable, inclusive growth, especially at a time when the world has seen widening inequality both within countries and across the global community.
Barbados speaks from experience.
Long before solar energy was fashionable, Barbadians put solar water heaters on roofs more than 50 years ago.
Innovation, my friends, can always begin in ordinary homes.
Our national energy policy set the ambition of 100% renewable and carbon neutral barbados by 2035.
We recognize that parts of that for a small island developing state does mean an inclusion of limited amounts of clean energy because wipe out risk that we have can destroy PV panels and wind turbines overnight.
Our energy Transition and investment plan, therefore, now asks us how to finance solar, how to finance wind, how to finance storage, battery storage, how to build efficient buildings, and how to have cleaner transport and indeed a stable grid for the future.
How do we keep clean energy as part of the mix so that we can ensure that the day after a hurricane, we still can provide energy when national security is at greatest risk.
There is progress to be proud of in my country.
Barbadas has already crossed 100 megawatts of distributed solar.
We're working on storage tariffs so that we can move from the 16% renewable energy and unlock over a half $1 billion in financing in the banking system so that we can reach 50% renewable energy by December 2027.
With that, we can reduce our vulnerability given the volatility that we face as a small island developing state dependent on international energy supply.
The sustainable energy for all global forum in Barbados, I said then and I repeat now, we cannot continue with business as usual.
It is too slow for climate resilience to be built.
It is too weak for debt to be incurred and to be sustainable for us, and it is too unfair for the energy with respect to the fact that we need access to it to reduce that vulnerability.
The out of the box proposition is this, treat every roof as a reserve, treat every battery as sovereignty, treat our ability to be able to renew what windmills should look like in the 21st century from what they looked like in the early centuries on this landscape.
Treat every hospital coal chain, every port scanner, every electric bus and every powered school as development infrastructure leading to reducing our dependence on international energy, but at the same time building our resilience.
Energy security, my friends, is not a tank farm alone.
It is a distributed digital, renewable and human system that can bend without breaking.
The Bridgetown Initiative speaks to this moment.
We need debt that breathes when disaster strikes.
We need credit ratings that recognize resilience.
We need development banks to use their balance sheets with urgency to help make loans more affordable for small states and vulnerable states in the V 20 group.
We need insurance as a pillar of resilience and to recognize that insurance denied or insurance unaffordable makes the entire business system malfunction.
Private capital, my friends, is essential, but it must not turn the energy transition into simply another avenue for extraction.
The world has had enough of that.
There must be fairness.
Sevilla, as you know better than me, gave us a commitment, not a commemorative photograph.
The sustainable development goals gave us a promise, not a slogan, An SDG seven is affordable and clean energy, but it reaches at the same time into health, into education, into gender quality, into decent work and into peace.
For when energy fails, development stumbles.
When energy becomes affordable, reliable, and clean, development breathes.
This is why my friends, EcoS matters.
This council must not be the waiting room of multilateralism.
It must be the engine room of cooperation, where the development pillar becomes practical, urgent, and visible.
It must act in a manner that is consistent with a security council that guarantees peace for the rest of us.
Barbaros with Malta and other countries believe that the United Nations must connect peace, finance, climate, food and water security, and energy into one coherent response because that's how we live at the micro level in communities, at level of countries, and thus how we must live internationally.
My friend, the world does not lack sunlight.
It does not lack technology.
It does not lack wind or water.
It does not lack ideas.
Too often, what it does lack, however, is speed.
And fairness.
Let us leave here, recognizing that ideas must be accompanied with speed and fairness if we are to be successful.
And yes, let us have the energy for energy.
Let us make energy work for our people, for our planet, for peace, for development.
Let us make the United Nations work by giving it the energy that it needs to deliver for each of our citizens and each of our countries.
I thank you.
I thank the Prime Minister of Barbados and chair of the Development Goals Advocates Group for her keynote address.
Excellency's distinguished delegates will now hear statements from the sensors for this special meeting.
I invite the council to hear a statement by His Excellency, Mr.
Cecil Kal, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal, by prerecorded video.
Please play the video.
Excellencies, Under Secretary-General Lee Zuni, distinguished delegates.
It is a pleasure and privilege for me to address you at this crucial exchange.
At the outset, I thank my ambassador Logbalutapa, President of Ecosk for convening this special meeting on such a pressing global issue.
I also thank other distinguished speakers for their thoughtful reflections.
At a time of heightened global uncertainty, amidst deepening conflicts, climate disasters, macroeconomic pressures, and external shocks, this dialogue offers a critical pathway to strengthen solidarity, forge partnership, and advance sustainable development goals.
Excellencies.
Over the past several months, we've witnessed unprecedented disruptions to global energy system and supply chains with far reaching implications for sustainable development and human well being.
The repercussions have been immediate and profound for families, societies, and countries, particularly for Nepal.
While the theater of conflict looks far, the impacts we feel are close.
About 2 million Nepalese work in West Asia region.
Since the conflict began, one Nepali national has lost precious life and 27 others have been injured.
We felt tremors in various sectors from education, health, and employment to food and energy security, public service delivery, and economic stability.
These disruptions have emerged as serious threats to poverty reduction, human security, and the achievement of sustainable development goals.
Recent assessments indicate that the global economy is likely to experience slug growth, while Asia and Pacific could incur economic loss ranging from $100 billion to $300 billion under severe disruption scenarios with South Asia among the hardest hit sub regions.
The short term impacts are already evident through rising fuel and freight costs, inflationary pressures, disruptions in food and fertilizer supply chains, and mounting stress on public finances, particularly in vulnerable developing countries like Nepal.
Over the longer term, prolonged disruptions risk reversing hard on developing gains, pushing millions back into poverty, weakening social services, and widening existing economic and digital inequities.
While these impacts are felt globally, their severity remains highly contrary and context specific.
Countries with high dependence on imported energy, remittance inflows, tourism revenues, external trade routes, and limited fiscal space are facing particularly acute vulnerabilities.
In the last few weeks alone, Nepal has seen the loss of about 2 billion rupees potential income in tourism sector.
These multidimensional challenges are especially pronounced and more acute.
Rising energy prices have rapidly translated into higher transport, food and agriculture input costs, directly affecting livelihoods, household purchasing power, and border human development outcomes.
At the same time, declining remittance inflows will have additional pressure on macroeconomic stability and on vulnerable families dependent on overseas employment, especially in West Asia.
The burden is falling disproportionately on most vulnerable groups, including low income households, informal workers, migrant families, women, youth, farmers, and small and medium sized enterprises.
If prolonged and unaddressed, such disruptions risk slowing economic and social progress and pushing millions into a vicious cycle of poverty, hunger, malnutrition, and inequities, particularly in developing countries and countries in special situations.
In this context, Excellencies, let me highlight a few points for our collective action.
First, diplomacy and dialogue are imperative.
At a time of heightened geopolitical tensions and uncertainty, we must prioritize peaceful engagement and mutual understanding and constructive negotiation to resolve differences.
Unhindered flow of energy, food, and other critical resources upon which global development depends must be our utmost priority at all time.
Second, multilateral legion is key.
The challenges we face today transcend national boundaries and cannot be addressed by any country acting alone.
Safeguarding energy and supply flows requires stronger international cooperation, grounded in solidarity, pragmatic partnership, and respect for United Nations Charter and international law.
Collective action is critical to responding effectively to food insecurity, energy volatility, trade disruption, and broader threat to macroeconomic stability and sustainable development.
Third, partnership matters, international financial institution, multilateral development banks, development partners, and private sector all have an important role to play in supporting countries affected by these disruptions.
Greater investment in the resilient infrastructure, renewable energy, sustainable supply systems, and technological innovations is urgently needed.
We must develop innovative and inclusive approaches through sound policy frameworks, blended finance, risk sharing mechanisms, and targeted support for micro small and medium sized enterprises.
Fourth, vulnerable countries and communities must remain our priority.
Developing countries, particularly least developed countries and landlocked developing countries cannot observe repeated global stocks alone.
For countries like Nepal, rising energy costs and supply disruptions pose serious challenges to development efforts and the livelihood of ordinary people.
The international community and financial institutions should therefore expand concessional financing, emergency liquidity support, debt relief measures, and investment in resilient infrastructure, and renewable energy transitions.
Leaving the most vulnerable behind would undermine promise of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.
Excellencies, the road ahead of us is crystal clear.
Global energy resilience and supply chains cannot be strengthened in isolation, nor can they be kept intact without ensuring global peace, stability, and peaceful coexistence.
EcoSC as the principal event body for international economic and social cooperation has an indispensable role in advancing coordinated responses that protect development gains, support countries and communities, and aciliate implementation of the 2030 agenda.
Nepal remains firmly committed to engaging constructively with all partners in safeguarding energy and supply ecosystems and ensuring a more resilient, equitable and sustainable future for all, leaving no nation behind.
Thank you.
I thank the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal for his statement.
Now we will hear a statement by Her Excellency, Maria Teresa Lajrio, Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Philippines by prerecorded video.
Please play the video.
Mr.
President, Excellency's distinguished delegates, I thank the President and Bureau of Ecosof for convening this timely special meeting on safeguarding energy and supply flows in support of global development.
The Philippines is pleased to participate in this important discussion at the time of increasing global uncertainty and heightened geoeconomic challenges.
Recent developments in the Middle East and disruptions affecting major maritime and energy routes have once again underscored the fragility of global energy and supply chains and their far reaching implications for international peace, stability, and sustainable development.
Rising fuel prices, supply uncertainties, and disruptions in transport and logistics continued to place considerable pressure on economies and societies, particularly in developing countries and vulnerable sectors.
As an archipelalogic and trade dependent country, the Philippines is acutely aware of how external shocks can reflect energy security, food systems, inflation, and broader economic resilience.
President Ferdinand Marcos junior declared a state of national energy emergency in March 2026 in view of the urgent need to address low energy reserves and rising fuel costs.
In response to these challenges, the Philippines has undertaken measures to mitigate the impact of global energy and supply disruptions, including targeted financial assistance and social protection measures for vulnerable sectors, supply management to ensure orderly distribution of fuel, food, medicine, and other essential goods, and efforts to diversify energy resources and strengthen energy resilience.
At the same time, the Philippines continues to advance its transition towards clean, cleaner, more sustainable, and more secure energy systems through the expansion of renewable energy, enhancement of energy efficiency, and development of strategic energy infrastructure.
Under the Philippine Energy Plan, the Philippines aims to increase the share of renewable energy in its power generation mix to 35% by 2030 and 50% by 2040.
To support this transition, the government continues to pursue reforms to attract investments in renewable energy and strengthen energy security and resilience through regional and international cooperation.
As chair of Asean this year, the Philippines has also worked closely with fellow Asean member states to strengthen regional coordination in response to evolving geopolitical and geoeconomic developments.
At the recent Asean summit held in Cebu, Asean reaffirmed the importance of maintaining resilient energy supply chains, strengthening regional cooperation, advancing regional and alternative energy development, and ensuring the uninterrupted flow of essential goods and services.
Asean is likewise emphasized the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, and international cooperation in addressing the broader implications of current crisis, including their impact on energy security, food security, maritime trade and economic stability.
We underscore the importance of preserving an open, inclusive, rules based, and cooperative international order anchored in international law and mutual respect among nations.
Excellencies, we must ensure that the global energy transition remains just, inclusive, and responsive to the needs and capacities of developing countries.
Access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy remains indispensable to poverty eradication, economic recovery, and achievement of the sustainable development goals.
The Philippines underscores the importance of strengthened multilateral cooperation, enhanced financing and technology support, and greater investment in resilient and sustainable energy infrastructure.
We also support efforts to strengthen regional and global coordination mechanisms to mitigate the impact of future disruptions and external shocks.
Thank you.
I thank the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines for her statement.
We'll now hear a statement by His Excellency, Juan Gujar, Secretary of State for Energy in the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge of Spain by prerecorded video, please play the video.
Mr.
President, Excellency's distinguished delegates, it is an honor to take the floor on behalf of Spain.
We meet yet again at the moment where the world is being reminded at a considerable cost of what dependence on fossil energy means.
International Energy Agency has described the current disruption as the most severe the global oil markets have ever recorded.
Prices have surged and freight, insurance, and fertilizer costs have followed.
And the heaviest burden that is so often the case is falling on developing economies and on the households least able to bear it.
The Secretary-General has rightly urged a peaceful resolution on the full reopening of the Hor Strait, and Spain fully supports this appeal.
This is not the first time that the international community has had to face such a moment.
From the shocks of 1973 to those in more recent years, each such episode has taught us the same lesson.
The security of a nation and the prosperity of its people cannot rest indefinitely on resources that are finite.
Clean energy changes that equation.
This is the conviction that guides Spain's energy policy.
We see the transition not only as an ethical imperative in the face of the climate emergency, but as a matter of strategic security, economic sovereignty, and peace.
A solar panel installed is in its quiet way, an instrument of peace, energy produced where it is consumed by the country, the region, and the community that uses it.
Spain has shown that this path delivers.
In recent years, we have significantly expanded our renewable capacity and in particular solar power because the sun, like the wind, is the resource that nature has placed in our hands as it has placed it in the hands of so many other nations represented here today.
We have decoupled economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions and today renewables are delivering tangible results, lower household electricity prices, stronger energy security, and a more competitive industrial base.
The transition is also a powerful engine for development for emerging economies that hold extraordinary solar and wind potential, but also closer to home in rural Spain where small municipalities are becoming yet again the center of social and economic opportunities.
Spain faces this transition with a sense of duty and of opportunity in equal measure.
It is a conviction that underpins our national pact on the climate emergency, a transition that is about energy, yes, but is also social, territorial, and democratic and just.
Allow me to be clear on a further point.
Our defense of renewable energy is not an article 0F faith.
It is a matter of pragmatism.
Where fossil dependence has too often been defended as a dogma, renewables offer a path tested by evidence, more affordable, more secure, more sovereign, and more peaceful.
And what is true for Spain is true in its own measure for every nation represented in this world.
No country can do this alone.
The transition must be global, inclusive, and just.
It demands deeper multilateral cooperation, scaled up financing, and genuine solidarity with developing nations, the very nations now paying the highest price for an energy crisis they did not cause.
Spain reaffirms its commitment for the SDGs, the sustainable development goals, to the Paris Agreement, and the United Nations Framework as an indispensable forum for shared action.
Let me close them with a thought that we believe defines this moment.
For our generation, the choice between fossil fuels and clean energy is no longer a choice about the climate.
It is a choice about security.
It is a choice about the kind of peace we wish to leave to those who will come after us.
Whether our economies remain exposed to events in straits and ports beyond our control, whether they rest on resources we can call brown.
Each solar panel is a measure of autonomy.
Each wind turbine is an act of sovereignty.
Each battery installed is a piece of freedom, and together, they are the most enduring foundation we can lay for peace.
I thank you for your time.
I thank the Secretary of State for Energy of Spain for his statement.
Now we will hear a statement by Her Excellency, Lirato Dorothy Moabge Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy of the African Union.
By prerecorded video, please play the video now.
Excellency, honorable Ministers, distinguished members of Ecosoc.
Warm greetings from Adis Ababa.
Okay.
Today, the world is once again being reminded that geopolitics and energy are inseparable.
In Africa, we are already witnessing the effects of current geopolitical tensions.
The transport sector illustrates this vulnerability clearly.
More than 90% of passenger and freight movement in Africa depends on road transport.
Rising diesel prices therefore affect the movement of food, medicines, industrial goods, and agricultural products across the continent.
A diesel shock quickly becomes an inflation shock and ultimately a social stability challenge.
Industrialization also suffers.
Energy costs already account for 20-40% of manufacturing input across many African economies.
Every increase in fuel and electricity prices reduces competitiveness, discourages investment, and weakens ambitions of the Agenda 2063 and the African continental free trade area.
Even Africa's digital future is affected.
Our growing digital economy, projected to contribute significantly to continental GDP, relies on reliable energy systems.
Telcom towers, data centers, and digital infrastructure across the continent continue to depend heavily on diesel powered backup generation.
Rising fuel prices therefore threaten not only industrial growth, but also digital inclusion and technological transformation.
Excellencies, no continent can reach full agency over its development when its economic stability is tied to dynamics beyond its control.
No nation can plan with certainty when the cost of energy which underpins every sector of the economy is uncertain.
This is the strategic lesson of the present moment.
Energy security is sovereignty.
Development is inseparable from control over energy systems.
This moment therefore calls for a fundamental shift in how we think about energy.
We believe that Africa's pathway towards energy security must be anchored on three strategic pillars.
The first pillar is diversification.
We must accelerate investments to diversify energy sources, to improve technologies and innovation, and to strengthen partnerships with domestic and international investors.
The second pillar is integration.
We must strengthen regional infrastructure, harmonize energy markets, and fully implement continental frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade A and the African single electricity market.
The third pillar is domestic capacity.
Must ensure that Africa accelerates investments in refining, storage, and distribution systems, as well as increasing strategic reserves to allow the continent to stabilize its markets.
Refineries are not simply national investments, they are continental assets for energy security.
Geopolitical crises often create moments of clarity.
They force difficult conversations, they accelerate decisions that might otherwise take years.
This is such a moment for all of us.
We commend Ecosc for recognizing the moment.
Thank you.
I thank the Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy of the African Union for her statement.
I now invite Mr.
Andrew Wilson, Deputy Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Commerce, who is joining us virtually to make a statement.
Mr.
Wilson, you have the floor now.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
Excellency delegates.
It is really a great honor to be with you on behalf of the international business community.
I'd like to start by making three very brief points that I think pick up nicely on the president's introductory remarks about the nature of the crisis that we're seeing from a real economy perspective.
The first point I really like to emphasize is this isn't just an energy crisis that the real economy is facing.
I know issues around the oil price have dominated international media very understandably.
But from a business perspective, that really risks obscuring the depth and the breadth of the disruption or potential disruption we see from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
And what we're seeing is companies already facing severe supply challenges in relation to a range of essential inputs from fertilizers, different industrial chemicals, sulfur, which is widely used across a whole range of different industry functions, and also specialist gases and a number of metals.
That risks having very, very broad effects across supply chains in ways that we probably haven't yet fully realized.
Energy is the visible edge of the crisis, but there is a broader set of risks already inherent within the global trading system and across value chains.
Second point I really want to emphasize is we talk a lot about cost, inflation, affordability.
Those are important dimensions to this crisis.
But we also see a pure risk around availability and access.
With the supply of those inputs cut off in large part from the Persian Gulf, we're already seeing across our network, many, many companies being forced to scale down or shut production of essential products from fertilizers through to ceramics, through to glass because they simply cannot access the required inputs and energy.
This is really a risk of severe industrial dislocation, the kind of which we have not seen in our view in living memory.
And the third point I really want to emphasize is on agriculture and specifically the production of and availability of fertilizers.
We are seeing across our network huge issues related to supply from the Persian Gulf, particularly of nitrogen based fertilizers, but also production dislocation in a number of third countries as a result of shortages of gas, but also of sulfur and sulfuric acid.
And our concern is that unless this situation is remedied, there will be severe impacts on food systems on agricultural productivity in many countries into this year, but also into 2027.
So really, I want to emphasize this is not just about energy.
There is a broader dimension, and there is a particularly acute risk in terms of fertilizer affordability and also availability.
In terms of what we'd like to see from the international community, I'd like to suggest three points for consideration by this assembly.
The first is really the need for multilateral development banks and other relevant institutions to scale the availability of financial instruments to ensure industry players and farmers particularly smaller businesses can continue to access essential inputs.
From our perspective, that means a rapid scaling of available trade finance support mechanisms, including both guarantees, but also potentially liquidity mechanisms as we see companies start to hit working capital buffers as a result of price increases.
Second is we really desperately need to see a coordinated trade response to the current situation.
That means working through the WTO to identify and implement best practices to facilitate trade in products that are disrupted, particularly agricultural nutrients and related inputs.
But also, we need to ensure that there's a push across the international community to avoid the use of export restrictions, which could, from our perspective, frankly, exacerbate an already serious supply crisis.
Moving away from the use of export restrictions which we're already starting to see some governments regrettably do.
Then the third and most importantly is from our perspective, there needs to be an urgent reopening of the Strait of its restoration of the freedom of navigation through the strait.
If that cannot be achieved in the short term, given the criticality of the issues at play and the risks to food security, we would encourage the international community, UN member states to consider potential mechanisms to reopen the strait for essential cargo, starting with fertilizers and related inputs.
We believe there are compelling proposals on the table from the UN Secretary-General Task Force to do that, and we do think this requires urgent attention given the severity of the situation.
Do there some leave my remarks there, but really we see it as in your hands to stop what is today an energy crisis becoming a broader industrial crisis and in the end, a food security crisis.
We really do need to see coordinated action from you in this forum but also more broadly through the UN system.
Thank you.
I thank the Deputy Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Commerce.
I now invite Mr.
Maximo Torrero Chief Economist of the Food and Agriculture Organizations of the United Nations with joining us virtually to make a statement.
Mr.
Torero, you have the floor now.
Thank you.
Thank you very much, President of E Kosook and thank you for organizing this meeting.
What is happening today in the Middle East is not only a geopolitical crisis.
It is rapidly becoming a systemic choke to the global agri food systems and showing us what are the risks that we have to face in this type of problems.
As we are saying, the clock is ticking and we are now 76 days since the conflict.
Our red light was day number 90, so we're getting very close to that and that day number 90 was because of the crop calendar.
The set of homos is one of the most critical logistical choke points in the world.
A 35% of global crude oil exports, 20% of L&G natural gas, which is used for nitrogen, and 30% of traded fertilizers pass through this corridor.
There is no viable alternative route capable of replacing the scale of movement in the short term.
This matters profoundly for food security.
Modern agri food systems are dependent on fossil fuels, not only for transport and processing, but also fertilizer production.
Nitrogen fertilizers, especially urea and ammonia, rely heavily on natural gas.
When energy markets are disrupted, fertilizers markets react immediately.
When fertilizers become more scarce and unaffordable, agriculture production follows.
We are already seeing this transmission mechanism unfold.
All prices have surged.
Natural gas prices have risen sharply.
Fertilizer prices, especially Uria have increased dramatically.
Freight and shipping costs are climbing.
These are not isolated market movements.
They are interconnected chokes cascading through global food systems.
The most important point is this, the largest risks are not necessarily immediate food security shortages today.
The greatest danger lies in delayed impact on future agricultural production, the second half of this year and 2027.
Farmers respond to higher fertilizer prices by reducing application rates.
Lower fertilizer reduces use, reduces yields.
Reduced yields tighten grain markets months later.
The food inflation spreads across commodities and countries, especially affecting the poorest households.
We know that if there is commodity price inflation, there will be food inflation, which also brings the energy price into it.
And food inflation means overall inflation, and overall inflation will mean that countries will have to put restrictive policies, monetary policies like increasing interest rates.
So we will end in a situation of fixed inflation, high inflation, lower economic growth, and our projections are that welfare could reduce to -1.6% and economic growth could reduce to -1.7% global economic growth.
And the risk could become significantly worse if a strong aginum materializes, as we have been seeing in the projections.
As a combination of climate related production shocks and input shortages could severely reduce global agricultural output and intensify food price volatility.
Colleagues, the impact extends beyond fertilizers.
Hybrid seed systems are also vulnerable.
Hybrid seed production is highly input intensive and depends on reliable fertilizer use.
Energy access, coal chain logistics, and timely international movement.
Disruptions today may reduce it availability tomorrow, creating another layer of production risks and I can keep going.
Packaging, helium for coal facilities, et cetera, are being impacted.
At the same time, humanitarian operations are becoming more expensive and more difficult.
Longer shipping routes, higher diesel costs, and poor congestion and increasing logistical costs for food assistance operations precisely when needs are growing.
This crisis therefore requires actions and the actions, we believe are at three levels.
It's important to start to implement them because right now we are essentially close to day number 90, and it's time to start to focus enormously on those actions to minimize the potential impacts of this job.
First, in the short term, we must stabilize market and protect supply flows.
Countries should avoid export restrictions.
We need to strengthen market transparency because today we have enough food at this moment and enough stocks of cereals.
This could be changing soon, but right now we should be okay.
We need to maintain humanitarian corridors and coordinate logistics and trade facilitation measures.
Second, in the medium term, we need to diversify supply sources, support vulnerable food import dependent countries through facilities like the Food import financing facility that was implemented called the food shock driven window by the IMF and facilities that all regional banks are trying to implement.
This will help to secure farmers access to fertilizers at a higher cost, but at least allow them to continue their planting season and to avoid a significant decrease in yields.
It also applies to energy to seeds and to finance.
We also need to assure that farmers can continue to operate.
And this is neutral to scale.
This is affecting small, medium, and large farmers.
Of course, small farmers are the less ones that have less access to finance, but it will impact the three of them because prices are low of the commodities and the input costs are increasing significantly.
So the profitability of the sector is completely deteriorated and in many cases, is in deficit.
That requires support lines of credit supported by banks in the countries with the support of the central banks so that they can have at least for a period of time, lower interest rates and liquidity that will allow them to survive these tough moments.
Third, and most importantly, as many of you have said, we must build structural resilience.
The crisis has demonstrated that global agri food systems remain excessively dependent on concentrated energy routes and fossil fuel based inputs.
Today is the straight of foremost.
Yesterday was the Panama Canal, the Swiss Canal, the Red Sea.
So we need to find solutions for this.
That means that we need to invest in a network of infrastructure that will allow us to have a buffer to protect under these situations in the future.
We need to invest in efficiency in precision agriculture and by that I mean improved soil mapping and nutrient induce efficiency, which will allow us to reduce the waste in fertilizer applications.
We need to diversify fertilizer supply chains, and that means having a strategic reserve, storage infrastructure, and regional coordination.
We must accelerate the transition towards fossil fuel free fertilizer solutions, including green ammonia and biofertilizes.
But this is not overnight.
We cannot move to the extreme of organic fertilizers.
We know what happened and we know the consequences of that and there is very clear evidence of that.
But green ammonia and go fertilizers and other micronutrients could help, but this will require investment now so that tomorrow we can have this available at a cost effective way.
These investments cannot wait until the next crisis.
Because what we're witnessing today is not an isolated disruption, it is a warning about the fragility and the systems that feed the world.
Food security, energy security, macroeconomic stability, and geopolitical stability are inseparable, and our response must reflect that reality.
Thank you very much.
I thank the chief economist of the Food and Agriculture Organizations for his statement.
I now invite the Acting Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commissions for Western Asia.
Mr.
Murat Wahaad to deliver a statement.
Mr.
Wabi, you have the floor.
Thank you very much, Mr.
President, Mr.
President of the Economic and Social Council.
Your Excellency, Vice Presidents of the Council, Excellncy's distinguished delegates, United Nations colleagues.
Allow me as the acting Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for West Asia to focus my remarks on my own particular region on the Arab States.
Today, as you may have heard, the Arab region, like many others, is experiencing a rapidly evolving crisis in which shocks are transmitted across interconnected energy, trade, and financial systems, cascading into inflation, into fiscal stress, and declining household welfare.
From the start of this conflict, disruptions have already generated over $60 billion in economic losses in the Arab region, underscoring the speed and scale at which shocks are unfolding.
Financial markets in the region have come under strain with losses of more than $150 billion across major regional exchanges.
And at the core of this crisis is a foundational reality.
Energy is essential to economic resilience and sustainable development.
But the crisis doesn't come alone, single spies, as they say.
But it comes as a consequence of already vulnerable economies in the region, a region where 82 million people required humanitarian assistance this year, a region where 43% of the population lives in conflict affected settings, and the region which is suffering today and for the past few years from water stress, from declining agricultural productivity, and from increasing food prices.
Because this is a region where the crisis does not affect everyone in the same manner.
Oil exporters are affected in a particular manner and see very severe economic losses, but also threats to the availability of freshwater resources.
Oil importers see increased balance of payments crisis, reduction of fiscal space for social spending, and an impact invariably on the most vulnerable and on the poor.
We are in Esqui at this stage calculating the impact on poverty, and we believe that an additional 20% increase in food prices, which the previous speaker very eloquently described will push an additional 5 million people into food insecurity.
5 million people in addition to the 193 million we already have suffering from food insecurity in the region, Mr.
President.
This is a very severe crisis for the region, and indeed, the region has reacted to it with the serious manner in which it deserves.
So today, in the Economic and Social Council Commission for West Asia, we have held ministerial meetings, experts meeting across the region with a view to finding solutions.
We have done so with the support of our colleagues in the United Nations system, and I'd like to highlight the contributions of Anktad, of the World Trade Organization, of the Economic Commission for Europe, that have all been very and indeed of the Development Cooperation Office that have all supported us in this endeavor.
We are listening to the policymakers in the region, excellencies.
They are telling us that there are solutions to this crisis to increase resilience and build back a better, more resilient region.
First of these is an integrated management of energy stocks and of refined products.
Second allows us to look into improved transport of energy across the region, not only through maritime ways, but really the development of a regional pipeline, road transport, et cetera.
This requires regional cooperation.
I'll come back to that in a second.
A third area is trade facilitation.
We have seen too many barriers to trade, both customs and non trade barriers preventing the easy flow of trade within the region.
We believe that again, regional developments, regional policymakers need to come together and to look at trade facilitation measures.
We are also looking at the protection of water reserves across the region as an integrated system, and finally, working with financial institutions in the region to ensure support to the most vulnerable, the most affected in this region.
In particular, and our studies in Esqui showing this, women tend to be affected much more than men by a reduction in fiscal space across the region and we are focusing our efforts on gender responsive policy making.
That is for the crisis and the impact.
Perhaps if I could, in view of the time limit myself to three recommendations for the consideration of this council, Mr.
President.
The first is that a regional crisis is never really a regional crisis.
It is a cross regional crisis in our case.
We look at our colleagues in Asia and the Pacific because of the impact both of the closure of the Straits of Homs, but also through the joint management of stocks and water.
We look at our colleagues in the ECE region, especially, for instance, in terms of the electricity management across the region in Turkey.
And we look at colleagues in the Economic Commission for Africa because of the impact of fertilizers and indeed alternative energy supplies to the region.
There is an interrelationship, which, as you said very rightly, Mr.
President, if I may, the Economic and Social Council was created precisely for such a dialogue, both within the region and cross regionally.
Second broad recommendation is to work within the Secretary-General task force because we as United Nations Secretariat bodies and voluntary funded agencies, funds, and programs are working together to provide concerted solutions to the peoples of the region and If I may advance there, I believe a dialogue with Eco would be most between the agencies, between the United Nations Secretariat bodies and member states would be, I think, very interesting in terms of coordinating our work.
Finally, if I may Mr.
President, distinguished delegates, I would make one more plea, which is that this is not an energy crisis.
This is a crisis of development.
It affects developing countries in different manners, and I think it would be important to look at beyond energy, beyond finances, how human beings are affected in this conflict.
I thank you.
I thank the acting Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia Excellencies, distinged delegates.
This concludes the opening segment.
I now briefly pause the meeting to allow the podium to be rearranged.
We will begin the general statement shortly and please remain seated.
Excellencies, distinguished delegates, we shall now hear general statements.
Before giving the floor to the first speaker on the list, I would like to remind the speakers of the time limits of 5 minutes for statements on behalf of the group and 3 minutes for national statements.
As previously communicated, the time limits will be strictly implemented.
Due to the limited time available, in case speakers exceed their time limit, the microphone will be automatically deactivated.
I apologize in advance if speakers are cut off.
This measure is being taken to ensure that as many speakers as possible can deliver their statement in the limited time available.
Nonetheless, I would like to request the speakers to deliver statement at normal speaking speed for purposes of interpretations.
Longer versions of the statement may be sent for posting in the Journal of the United Nations tots at un.org.
With this, I now give the floor to the permanent representative of Mauritius who is speaking on behalf of the African Group to be followed by Solomon Island.
Thank you.
Mr.
President, I have the honor to deliver the statement on behalf of the African group.
The African Group thanks EcoSc for convening this timely and important special meeting on the development implications of disruptions in global energy and supply flows.
The current global context demonstrates with increasing clarity that developing countries, particularly African countries, continue to bear the heaviest consequences of external shocks, which they did not create.
Across Africa, disruptions in energy markets, supply chains and trade corridors are exacerbating structural vulnerabilities, increasing inflationary pressures, worsening food insecurity, constraining industrial production, and further shrinking already limited fiscal space.
These impacts are particularly severe for countries in special situations, including LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS.
The African group is deeply concerned that rising energy costs, disruptions in fertilizer and agricultural supply chains, tightening financial conditions, and rising debt servicing costs risk reversing hard earned development gains and undermining progress towards the achievement of the sustainable development goals and Agenda 2063.
In this regard, we reiterate that global crises require coordinated multilateral responses rooted in solidarity, equity, and international cooperation.
We therefore underscore the urgent need to strengthen international financial support mechanisms for developing countries, enhance access to concessional finance and emergency liquidity, address debt vulnerabilities, and invest in resilient infrastructure, regional connectivity, and sustainable industrialization.
The African Group further underscores that safeguarding energy and supply flows is inseparable from strengthening resilient food systems, regional value chains, and sustainable industrialization across Africa.
In this regard, Africa continues to advance its common priorities in Agenda 2063, the comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Program, and the African Continental Free Trade Area, with a view to reducing structural vulnerabilities and enhancing long term resilience.
We stress that Africa's resilience will depend not only on emergency responses to crisis, but also on sustained investments in energy access, transport infrastructure, agro industrialization, and local food production systems capable of withstanding future global disruptions.
The African group further stresses that energy security and sustainable development are mutually reinforcing objectives.
Efforts to accelerate the global energy transition must therefore remain just, inclusive, and responsive to national circumstances and development priorities.
For Africa, ensuring universal access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy remains indispensable for poverty eradication, food security, industrial development, and long term economic resilience.
In conclusion, the African Group reaffirms its commitment to working constructively with all partners to promote a more resilient, equitable, and development oriented international economic system capable of responding effectively to the needs and realities of developing countries.
I thank you.
I thank the Permanent representative of Mauritius is speaking on behalf of the African group.
Now I give the floor to the Permanent representative of Soloma Island, who is speaking on behalf of the Pacific Island Forum Group to be followed by Guenna and Bahrain.
Thank you, Mr.
President, for convening this very important meeting.
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Pacific Island Forum members with a presence in New York.
In the Pacific, disruptions to energy and supply chains are felt immediately.
They undermine development, stability, and human security, especially when layered with climate driven events that disrupt ports, transport, and power systems.
Together, these shocks threaten livelihoods, essential services, and hard won development gains.
Pacit economies rely on imported petroleum for around 80% of total energy needs, including electricity generation, water supply, and inter island connectivity.
This means that even brief supply disruptions or price volatility will immediately affect critical services like hospitals, communications, water and sanitation services.
With limited storage and long supply chains, remote island economies have little margin for disruption.
Mr.
President, for the Pacific, the erosion of navigational rights and freedoms in the strait of Homas has direct and serious implications.
We are deeply concerned about the stability of global supplier routes that are essential to our region, particularly given the Pacific's unique vulnerability as remote island economies located far from major production centers and logistics hubs.
The Pacific has long highlighted our unique vulnerability, rooted in remoteness, small domestic markets and distance from major fuel and trade habs.
This reality has been recognized by the international community through commitments such as the Antigua and Barbuda agenda for seeds.
Today's instability underscores the agency of translating recognition into concrete and sustained action.
The Pacific therefore stresses the fundamental importance of keeping global supply chains open, predictable and free from export restrictions, particularly for energy and essential goods.
This requires strengthened international cooperation and coordinated global action, including scaling up predictable and accessible financing and accelerating renewable energy deployment as a strategic pathway to energy security, particularly for those most exposed to global shocks.
Mr.
President, in 2025, Our Pacific Island Forum leaders reaffirm the Pacific's enduring and unwavering commitment to peace through the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration.
Therefore, we call on all states to uphold international law, commit to resolve disputes through dialogue and peaceful means, and immediately permit unimpeded transit passage of all vessels and aircraft through the strait upon which global commerce and livelihood.
Rely.
Despite these challenges, the Pacific continues to demonstrate leadership and resilience through collective action.
In response to the current war in the Middle East and the related supply chain impacts, the Pacific Alliance Forum has invoked a Picatea Declaration, our shared Political framework for collective regional responses to crisis and security challenges.
The Pacific Forum foreign ministers will meet next week to operationalize a United regional response.
The Pacific Island Forum members stand ready to work with the UN system and partners to deliver an effective collective response that builds resilience, upholds international law, safeguards development progress, and leaves no country behind.
I thank you.
I thank the Permanent representative of Soloma Islands, speaking on behalf of the Pacific Island Forum Group.
Now I give the floor to the Permanent representative Agua speaking on behalf of the Caricm to be followed by Bara and Turkmenisttan.
Mr.
President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the 14 member states of the Caribbean community, Carcon.
I begin by thanking you, President and the Bureau of EcoSoc for the timeliness of convening this meeting.
This is precisely one of the functions of this council as it discharges its responsibilities to make recommendations regarding, in the words of Article 63 of the charter, international, economic, social, cultural, educational, health and related matters.
The gravity of the situation currently being experienced clearly merits the convening of this special session of the council.
We are at a moment when the ongoing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz and the attendant disruptions to global energy and supply flows are having ripple effects in virtually every country on the globe, regardless of its size or distance from the epicenter of the crisis.
For arum states, this crisis is striking at the heart of our economic security, our social stability, and our ability to achieve the sustainable development goals.
All of our economies are by global standards, small and uniquely sensitive to external disruptions.
When global supply lines are imperiled, our economies feel the impact immediately and deeply.
Behind the numbers are the increasingly challenging daily realities that confront Caribbean people with the most vulnerable among them, especially women and children, bearing the brunt of the crisis.
Caricm therefore underscore three urgent priorities.
First, We must urgently stabilize global energy and supply flows through strengthened international cooperation.
The establishment of the UN task force on the Strait of Hormuz is a welcome development, which we hope will bear fruit quickly.
Its creation reflects the international community's recognition of the strategic importance of the strait and the urgent need to promote stability, de escalation, and the uninterrupted flow of global trade and energy supplies through this critical maritime corridor.
We remain hopeful that the task force will facilitate constructive dialogue, foster confidence building measures among relevant stakeholders, and contribute meaningfully to the maintenance of international peace and security.
Second, the international community must fix the underlying debt and financing architecture that is constraining the ability of developing countries to prepare and respond to this and other crises.
3.4 billion people live in countries that spend more on interest payments than on health or education.
This is neither sustainable nor morally defensible.
Carm reiterates its call for vulnerability based access to concessional finance, the expansion of liquidity support, and deeper, more predictable debt restructuring mechanisms.
Without fiscal space, countries cannot protect their populations from external shocks.
The full implementation of the compromisa de S via can unlock many of these solutions.
Third, We must ensure that even as we take urgent measures to respond to the present crisis, we continue our action to address the ongoing climate emergency and ensure a just transition for all.
Small island developing states are pressed to absorb shocks they did not create with tools they cannot afford in a financial system that was not designed for their realities.
In this regard, arcm calls for increased investments in and improved access to affordable renewable energy and resilient energy infrastructure in SIDS.
The present crisis demonstrates once again that energy import dependence leaves small economies highly exposed to external shocks, price volatility, and supply disruptions.
For our countries, renewable energy investment is not only a climate imperative, but also an economic security and development imperative.
Car Com stands ready to work with all partners to build a more resilient, equitable, and secure global future.
I thank you.
I thank the Perman representative of Gua, who is speaking on behalf of the Caicom and now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Bahrain, speaking on behalf of the GCC Thank you, Mr.
President.
I am honored to deliver this statement on behalf of a number of Gulf countries, the UAE, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, and my country, Bahrain.
Mr.
President, at the outset, we would like to we express our appreciation for convening this meeting in this timely manner when the world is facing many interrelated crisis that affect the international economy and energy security and the security of global supply chains.
We condemn the illegal and unjustified Iranian attacks on our countries in which it deliberately targets energy infrastructure, vital facilities, and civilian facilities, including the attacks and threats that are illegal, which which are against ceilings, including the deliberate closure of the Strait of hormones by Iran and its use as a tool for economic pressure on countries that are not part of this crisis.
This has immediate effects on the global economy and health and all stability of all countries, including most vulnerable and developing countries, which was condemned by the Security Council in 28 17, Resolution 28 17, which was supported by 136 countries.
The security of navigation and maritime navigation is a basis for international trade and commerce and any targeting of vital infrastructure or disruption of international trade will to wide effects that includes a rise in shipping prices, inflation, increase in the price of food and energy, which worsens social and economic conditions faced by a number of countries.
In this context, the latest data by FA shows that the average food price index is 130.7 during April, which is 1.6% increase compared to March and 2% compared to the same period of last year.
It is expected that fertilizers will also increase by an average of 15% to 20% if this situation continues.
This could lead to a severe shortage in food around the world.
These figures reflect the pressures that international markets are facing because of geopolitical tensions and the disruption in supply and energy chains.
FAO has condemned Iran for its actions which jeopardize food security.
Mr.
President, Iran's continued targeting strait of Hormos has led to the disruption of 20% of oil and liquefied natural gas supplies in one of the longest and most serious case since World War two.
And based on the report by Ankted, these disruptions at the Strait of Hormoz has restricted energy supplies and will lead to inflation and the raise of prices for those who are vulnerable and the raise in debts also for many countries.
Therefore, we emphasize that protecting vital infrastructure and maintaining the security of navigation and international trade is a collective responsibility that requires enhancing international security and respecting the principles of international law and UN charter.
In conclusion, Our countries reiterate that Iran must take responsibility for all damages and impacts and losses that it has caused and continues to cause because of its illegal attacks against our countries.
We renew our call to the protection of global supply chains from the impacts of such actions, and we will continue to be a reliable partner in enhancing regional and international stability to achieve security and prosperity for all peoples of the world.
Thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of Bahrain speaking on behalf of the Gulf Coalation Council.
Now, I give the floor to the permanent representative of Turkmenistan speaking on behalf of the landlocked developing countries.
President, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the group of landlocked developing countries in Turkmenistan's capacity as coordinator of the group on energy, connectivity and transit.
The group thanks the President of Ecosoc for convening this timely special meeting dedicated to safeguarding energy and supply flows and strengthening international cooperation in support of sustainable development.
For LLDCS, the subject under discussion is not merely an economic issue, but a fundamental development challenge directly linked to resilience, stability, and the achievement of the sustainable development goals.
Due to the geographic situation, LLDCS remain disproportionately affected by disruptions in international supply chains, fluctuations in energy markets, rising transportation costs, and growing geopolitical and economic uncertainties.
Limited direct access to sea ports, dependence on transit roads, and infrastructure vulnerabilities, continue to increase the exposure of LLDCSs to external shocks.
In this regard, reliable, affordable, and uninterrupted energy and transit connectivity are indispensable for sustainable development, industrialization, trade facilitation, and food and energy security in our countries.
The ABAA Program of Action for landlocked developing countries for the decade 2024, 2034 places particular emphasis on strengthening resilient transport corridors, trade facilitation, regional integration, and sustainable connectivity as key prerequisites for overcoming the structural vulnerabilities associated with landlocked Nness.
The group welcomes the ongoing implementation efforts under the AVASA Program of action, including relevant flagship deliverables, such as High level Panel of the Security General on Freedom of Transit and the Investment Infrastructure Finance Facility aimed at addressing transit challenges, mobilizing sustainable infrastructure financing, and supporting the fuller integration of LLDCS into global supply and value chains.
We also underlined the importance of ongoing work related to the AASA implementation roadmap and results framework and institutional coordination mechanisms designed to strengthen implementation, monitor progress, and enhance coherence among international partners and stakeholders.
We particular know the importance of measures aimed at simplifying border procedures, digitalizing customs and transit systems, improving corridor management, and promoting inter interoperable logistics networks capable of responding effectively to global crisis and disruptions.
The group further emphasizes the importance of enhanced regional and interregional cooperation in the areas of transport, trade, energy connectivity, and infrastructure development.
In this regard, international initiatives aimed at advancing sustainable transport and connectivity can make an important contribution to addressing the special needs and vulnerabilities of LLDCS.
Mr.
President, the AASA Program of Action clearly recognizes that resilient connectivity, security, Secure supply flows and sustainable infrastructure are essential for economic diversification, structural transformation, and sustainable development in LLDCS.
We therefore call for strengthened support from development partners, international financial institutions, the private sector, and the United Nations system to assist LLDCS in implementing the priorities of the program of action.
In particular, there remains an urgent need to mobilize predictable financing, facilitate technology transfer, promote digital connectivity, and support capacity building force in the areas of transit management, infrastructure, planning, and sustainable energy systems.
The group also underscores the importance of maintaining open predictable and rules based trade and transit systems, especially during periods of global uncertainty and crisis.
Mr.
President, the group of LLDCS remains committed to constructive engagement with all partners in advancing practical and action oriented solutions that promote resilient connectivity, sustainable transit systems, and equitable development opportunities for all countries.
I thank you.
I thank the Permanent representative of Turkmenistan, speaking on behalf of the LLDCs.
Now I give the floor to the Permanent representative of Malawi speaking on behalf of the LDCs.
Mr.
President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates.
I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the least developed countries group.
At the outset, the group expresses its sincere appreciation to the president of kosok for convening this timely special meeting at a moment of continuing global uncertainty and profound development challenges.
Disruptions in energy and supply flows are slowing global growth projected at 3.1% in 2026, with the impacts falling hardest on developing countries, particularly the least developed countries.
The ongoing crisis in the Middle East poses serious risks to global energy markets, maritime trade routes, and the stability of international supply chains, further exposing LDCs to serious fiscal constraints and deepening their external economic vulnerabilities.
For LDCs, these disruptions are not temporary shocks, they are systemic development constraints.
High dependence on imported energy, limited diversification, and weak fiscal buffers mean that energy price volatility rapidly translates into inflation, balance of payments, pressures, and rising poverty.
In many developing countries, including LDCs, food and energy account for more than half of household spending, leaving households with little capacity to absorb additional shocks.
Rising energy prices increased transport and production costs, thus pushing up food prices and weakening food security.
Mr.
President, energy insecurity is also undermining progress on SDG seven.
Despite SDG seven being one of the clearest areas of global progress, LDCs continue to lag significantly.
Mostly LDCs are net energy importers and depend heavily on imported food and fuel.
As recognized in the Doha program of action, a little over 50% of people in LDCs have access to electricity with rural access as low as 10% in some countries.
Financing remains a central constraint.
The current crisis therefore is poised to aggravate debt vulnerabilities in LDCs.
Against this backdrop, the LDC group stresses that strengthened international cooperation is indispensable.
In this regard, the group calls for first, enhanced coordination within the UN system across energy, food, trade, and finance, including stronger early warning and analytical capacities to align emergency responses with long term development and climate objectives.
Second, greater timely and flexible support from international financial institutions through concessional finance, grants, guarantees, and where necessary, debt relief to help countries manage immediate fiscal pressures while investing in resilient and sustainable energy systems.
Third, stronger and more adaptive social protection systems that can be rapidly scaled up to support informal workers, women, children, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups during times of crisis.
Fourth, increase the private sector engagement and investment in energy efficiency, renewable energy, resilient infrastructure, and diversity supply chains, supported by clear policy frameworks and effective risk mitigation instruments.
Mr.
President, safeguarding energy and supply flows is not only an energy issue, it is a development imperative.
The multiple and interrelated challenges confronting LDCs call for coordinated multilateral responses rooted in solidarity, inclusiveness, and effective international cooperation.
Strengthening energy security and supply resilience must be recognized as a I thank the Permanent representative of Malawi speaking on behalf of the least developed countries.
Now, I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Uruguay speaking on behalf of the group of G 77 and China.
Mr.
President, I have the honor to address you on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
On the outset, I would like to commend you for convening this special meeting on safeguarding energy and supply flows.
This discussion takes place in a particularly delicate context as developing countries are once again facing an uncertain and challenging outlook with the risk of bearing a disproportionate share of the burden.
We emphasize the critical socioeconomic benefits of affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all and they need to reframe the understanding of energy from a technical unit to a requirement for basic social services, including health care, economic development, and poverty eradication.
Following a period of tepid but resilient growth, global economic conditions are deteriorating sharply, driven by disruptions to global supply chains, including energy markets in the wake of the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Global growth is now projected to decline in 2026, relative to 2025.
If the disruption is sustained, current non core inflation could increase driven by higher energy, food and fertilizer prices, as well as rising supply chain costs.
At the same time, we should think ahead strategically on how best to address the challenges and to reflect on how to act in a timely and effective manner in order to achieve our common goal of sustainable development, leaving no one behind.
In this context, we reaffirm that it is important to ensure the availability of energy for developing countries while recognizing that access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all is fundamental for development.
Collective efforts and strong international cooperation are needed to eradicate energy poverty particularly in developing countries.
We seek to ensure an inclusive approach that addresses the disproportionate impact of energy poverty for developing countries, including the most vulnerable in line with our national circumstances and priorities.
To that end, we express our will to tackle the energy access challenge by identifying the specific needs of each country by mobilizing technical financial assistance and tools to deploy sustainable energy solutions to tackle the energy access deficit.
In the pursuit of eradicating energy poverty, it's essential we focus on enabling resilient energy systems underpinned by pragmatism and technology neutrality.
Building on this, we identify the need to urgently and significantly scale up finance and investment in energy, including investments in clean technologies, including zero and low emission technologies and renewable energy quality infrastructure and increased energy efficiency as well as capacity building and the transfer of technology to developing countries through concessional and preferential terms.
In that regard, we call upon countries, public and private financial institutions and other stakeholders to scale up the provision of finance for developing countries.
Furthermore, we consider that in this discussion, it is important to reaffirm the sovereign right of countries over their energy resources and the right to define appropriate policies for the production and use of energy and recognizing that the 2030 agenda shall be implemented for the full benefit of all for today's generation and for future generations.
We also reiterate the call upon states to refrain from promulgating and applying unilateral economic, financial or trade measures that are not in accordance with international law and the charter of the United Nations that impede the full achievement of economic and social development, particularly in developing countries.
Such measures hinder access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy, disrupt supply flows, and undermine collective efforts towards sustainable development and resilience building.
We hope that the outcomes of this dialogue will contribute to an insightful reflection that can guide all countries, particularly developing ones to build a more resilient global energy system.
Thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of Uruguay speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
I now give the floor to the Permanent representative of Fiji speaking on behalf of the Pacific small island developing states.
Mr.
President, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the PCH group, and we align ourselves with the PIF statement as delivered by the Solomon Islands.
We wish to thank you, Mr.
President, for convening the special meeting.
The disruptions we are addressing today, including those witnessed in the General Assembly and the Security Council last month, represent critical macroeconomic challenges that require urgent and coordinated resolution.
PCDs enter this crisis from a position of structural fragility.
We are import dependent economies separated by vast ocean distances.
We have narrow fiscal space, high debt servicing costs, and limited buffers against external shocks.
The concept note before us notes that approximately 3.4 billion people live in countries that spend more on debt interest rather than on health or education.
Many of our member states count themselves among that number.
Rising fuel prices now estimated at over 100% above 2025 averages strike at the very foundation of our economies.
Transport, electricity generation, fishing, and tourism are all fuel intensive in the Pacific.
When energy prices spike, our cost of living spikes with them and our governments are left with impossible choices between subsidies they cannot afford and hardship they cannot ignore.
Most specific nations have declared states of emergency, implemented salary reductions for civil servants, imposed moratorium on overseas travel, and introduce fuel conservation measures, among other difficult actions.
Additionally, we are also acutely exposed through the remittances.
Our specific diaspora communities, many residing in the Gulf States, in Australia and in New Zealand, are a lifeline for our families and our national budgets.
Any contraction in labor demand in remittances, source economies will be felt directly in the specificic households.
PCD wish to place on record that the security of maritime trade routes and energy corridors, it is not separable from the security of the ocean itself.
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea provides the foundation legal framework for freedom of navigation.
The management of maritime resources and the peaceful resolution of disputes at sea and clause must be upheld not selectively, but comprehensively as the indispensable legal order upon which global supply chains depend.
Disruptions to critical maritime straits and corridors are at their core disruptions to the rule of law at sea.
Any actor that threatens or blockades internationally recognized maritime passages does not merely threaten its neighbors.
It attacks the rule of law that underpins the entire global trading system and imposes the heaviest costs upon those least responsible for the crisis, thus weakens the pathway for achievement of the Antigen Bar Buddha agenda for SDS.
This is the very reason why our Pacific leaders adopted in 2025, the Blue Pacific Ocean for Peace Declaration.
Mr.
President, in view of this, the PCs proposes three First, debt relief and concessional financing must be unlocked immediately for vulnerable nations, especially LDCs and seeds.
The SDG financing gap cannot be widened further by crisis response costs borne disproportionately by the least responsible.
Second, accelerated investment in renewable energy for seeds not deferred, not deprioritized.
Our transition away from imported fossil fuels is both a climate imperative and a direct response to the energy insecurity this meeting was called to address.
Third, the United Nations system, including ANA IMO and the Secretary-General Task Force on the straits of Homoz must ensure that the voices and specific vulnerabilities of small island developing states are embedded in every analytical framework and every policy response.
Mr.
President, the ocean is our highway, our ladder, and our heritage.
Its governance and the rules that protect free passage upon it are not peripheral to this discussion, they are central to it.
DCD stand ready to engage constructively in the deliberation of this council and in the work of the international community to responsibility, protect the most vulnerable, and build a resilience I thank the permanent representative of Fiji speaking on behalf of the PSDs.
Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of European Union to be followed by Sierra Leone, Spain, Algeria, Russian Prision, and India.
Mr.
President, Excellencies, I delivered this statement on behalf of the EU and its member states.
We thank the President of Ecosoc for convening this critical discussion at a time when the global energy crisis is undermining development, increasing inequalities, and threatening the achievement of the SDGs.
The message from this crisis is that fossil fuel dependency comes at a very high economic and strategic cost, deepening poverty, straining budgets, and delaying climate action.
The structural response must therefore be to accelerate the energy transition, and this means scaling up homegrown renewable and low carbon energy, strengthening grids and storage, and accelerating electrification and decarbonization across transport, buildings, and industry.
In 2025 alone, global electricity demand grew at around 2.5 times the pace of overall energy demand, while three quarters of all new power capacity installed worldwide was renewable.
Global clean transition creates a historic opportunity to strengthen energy security, resilience, and competitiveness.
For the European Union, this means accelerating implementation both domestically and internationally.
First, the EU response to the recent energy crisis called Accelerate EU combines immediate crisis coordination with a faster transition towards clean and homegrown energy, stronger grids, storage, and electrification.
We are also working on an EU electrification action plan.
Second, international cooperation is equally essential.
Through Global Gateway, the EU is investing in regional interconnections and resilient energy infrastructure, including 2 billion euro for 27 interconnection projects in Latin America and the Caribbean alongside further support for Africa and Southeast Asia.
Through just energy transition partnerships with countries including South Africa, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Senegal, we are supporting nationally led transitions that combine climate ambitions with economic development, social inclusion, and job creation.
President, Chars College.
Mr.
President, distinguished colleagues, governments, industry, and financial institutions all have a role to play.
We must pool our efforts and work together to ensure we have safe, secure, competitive, and lasting energy systems to deploy at scale.
We must also ensure that all regions draw benefits.
I thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of European Union.
Now I give the floor to the permanent representative of Sierra Leone.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
Mr.
President, thanks you and the Bureau of EcoSc for convening this timely special meeting.
We align this statement to the statement delivered on behalf of the group of 77 in China, the African group, and the LDCs.
As we recognize the valint efforts of government to respond to this preventable crisis, we also acknowledge with appreciation the continued efforts of the United Nations system international financial institutions, and partners in responding to the growing multidimensional impact of these disruptions.
As we've heard today call on the MDCs to do more as said this morning.
Recognizes that in relation to the ongoing Middle East conflagration, disruption to energy and supply chains are no longer isolated economic shocks.
They have become systemic threats to sustainable development, food security, fiscal stability, and social cohesion, especially for developing countries and countries in special situations.
Across Africa, including in Leon, these impacts are being felt through rising fuel and transport costs, increase in food prices, inflationary pressures, shrink in fiscal space, and heightened vulnerability to external market volatility.
These burdens fall more heavily on women, youth, informal workers, and low income households.
We're equally concerned by the wider macroeconomic implications, rising debt servicing costs, declining development assistance, and tighter global financial conditions are limiting the ability of developing countries to invest in infrastructure, health, education, climate resilience, and social protection.
They realize that billions of people live in countries spending more on debt sercing than on social services remain deeply troubling and unsustainable.
In responding to these challenges, Salem believes four priorities are essential.
First, we must strengthen international cooperation and collective crisis response mechanisms.
The United Nations system, international financial institutions, regional development banks, and the private sector must work together to expand access to emergency financing, debt relief, and affordable energy solutions.
Second, we must accelerate investment in resilient and diversify energy systems, particularly we enable energy, expanding access to sustainable and affordable energy is not only a climate imperative, but also development resilience and security imperative directly linked So disconnected.
Thank you.
I thank the Permanent representative of Sierra Leone.
Now I give the floor to the Permanen representative and Vice President of the Bureau of Spain.
Gracias.
Thank you very much, Mr.
President.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is leading to major disruptions in key sectors of the global economy and it shows how to what extent the international economic system remains vulnerable to geopolitical tensions.
The abrupt increase in the prices of oil and gas, as well as tensions on the supply of fertilizers and food is already pushing up inflation and leading to significant risks for food security and macroeconomic stability.
The increases in the price of energy and food threatens to reverse progress to achieve the SDGs.
This has already been reflected in high levels of debt and it reduces states fiscal headroom.
It is leading to severe consequences.
There is a real risk of increasing poverty, deterioration in social services, and regression in recent progress towards development.
We need to mitigate the increase in prices, of course, but we also need to have specific international responses to facilitate greater fiscal space for the most vulnerable countries, including progress on debt and international tax matters.
In this context, financing for development risks becoming more expensive and more procyclical.
That is why more than ever, we must accelerate the implementation of the civil commitment.
We must protect concessional financing, official aid for development, and we must ensure that the support reaches those who need it most.
In a context where we're seeing ODA being reduced, Spain is actually increasing it, but we can't move just in terms of mobilized financing.
We must also focus on the real impact of financing aligned with national development priorities.
International coordination and the continued exchange of information are key.
We need to avoid fragmentation and we need to coordinate between states, international financial institutions, and the United Nations system.
But we must also work on our collective capacity.
We must explore joint mechanisms for prevention and response to deal with future crises.
Spain will continue to defend an approach based on international law and the centrality of sustainable development as the way to prepare for current and future shocks and uncertainty.
Thank you.
I thank the permanent representative of Spain.
Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Algeria, which is also the vice president of the Kosakbureu him.
Thank you, Mr.
President, for organizing this meeting.
Preserving energy sources is a pillar for the desired development that we aspire to achieve as part of the 2030 sustainable development sustainable development must ensure the right of people to development.
Against this background, we launched an inclusive, comprehensive national strategy that meets its development priority and balances energy security and sustainable development.
We seek to diversify our national economy.
In this regard, I would like to address the following first.
Algeia is committed to enhancing energy security through building its productive capacities.
We launched major projects In the petrochemical sector and renewable energy.
$7 billion have been invested.
We've also invested in mining.
Second, we are committed to enhancing energy sustainability through ambitious projects in the renewable energy field.
For instance, we're aiming to generate 15 megawatts through a renewable energy projects until 2030.
Last month, we have operated solar energy plants that significantly increases our energy production.
These efforts and our national policy have allowed us to increase electricity coverage.
Three, as we continue to pursue an approach regionally and internationally, we seek through the Saharan Gas Project to contribute to African efforts to ensure sustainable development in transit countries.
Cooperation, with different partners supports our vision to a win win partnership that serves sustainable development fourth.
Algeria stresses that it's committed.
To cooperate with OPEC countries as opic countries play an important role in advancing global economy.
In conclusion, we are committed to joint action to support international efforts to ensure sustainable development that responds to the ambitions of upcoming generations.
The microphone has been cut off.
Thank the distinguished representative of Algeria.
Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Russian Fetrition.
Marj Mr.
President, Our world is confronting very serious crisis phenomena, in particular, the energy sector is today at the epicenter of political, economic, and social upheaval.
The main reason for this current energy crisis, as well as for the supply chain disruptions we're witnessing is evidently the military action taken by the US and Israel against Iran.
We regret that other delegations aren't talking about this today.
The escalation of violence in the Middle East has exacerbated the situation prompted by a whole host of previous steps, the abduction of the Venezuelan president, sanctions pressure on energy companies and tankers, the introduction of oil price caps, as well as terrorist attacks, and sabotage targeting critical transboundary energy infrastructure.
There's an additional destabilizing factor, that is the de facto pirate attacks on trade vessels, which are a violation of the freedom of the high seas.
These circumstances are not a coincidence.
They're deliberate actions which with the logical consequences which we're now being asked to address.
The consequences are being felt already inflation in many countries.
Transport, food, and tourism have been hit again.
Logistics and industry disruptions.
Costly redrawing of transport routes and cargo flows born of necessity, the crisis is having a disproportionately pronounced impact on commodity importer states, especially developing countries.
Thusian Federation as a responsible and reliable energy resource supplier is very much interested in the stabilization of the global energy market on the basis of equitable balance of the interests of both exporters and importers, first and foremost, developing countries.
We're in favor of respect for sovereignty and no politicization of global trade.
We deem it useful to diversify energy resource supplies.
Much like we deem useful the development of alternative transport and logistics routes, we're also in favor of greater settlements in national currencies and a strengthening of regional economic associations.
Nonetheless, one of the key steps towards the normalization of prices for energy is the immediate rescission of all sanctions and unilateral coercive measures against the fuel and energy complexes of export states as well as fertilizer producers.
We must put an end to illegal actions, sabotage, and armed attacks on transport and logistics infrastructure as well as on commercial vessels.
Thank you for your kind attention.
I thank the distinguished representative of Russian pedian.
Now, I give the floor to the Permanent representative of India to be followed by Dominican Republic, Angola, France, Timur, let's, Azerbijan.
Mr.
President, thank you for convening this special meeting in accordance with Ecosox mandate on a global crisis with huge economic implications for countries of the global South due to impacts on energy, food, and fertilizer security, supply chain disruptions, inflation, and constraints on growth.
The Reserve Bank of India has assessed the impact of the West Asia conflict on the Indian economy as follows.
First, elevated crude oil prices leading to increasing imported inflation and widening current account deficit.
Second, a disruption in energy markets, fertilizers, and other commodities adversely impacting industry, agriculture, and services, reducing domestic output.
Third, heightened uncertainty, increasing risk aversion, and safe haven demand impacting domestic liquidity, economic activity, consumption and investment.
Fourth, weaker global growth dampening external demand and reducing remittance flows.
Finally, the initial supply shock having the possibility to transform into a demand shock over the medium term if there is delay in restoration of supply chains.
At the national level, a combination of short term and structural measures are required.
In the short term, India has focused on managing energy supplies through alternative sourcing and demand side measures, cushioning households from price shocks supporting critical sectors such as fertilizers and pharmaceuticals and maintaining financial stability through proactive liquidity management.
Trade facilitation has also been introduced to support exporters and ensuring continuity in logistics and supply chains.
Over the medium term, the focus must shift to resilience.
This includes diversifying import sources, strengthening domestic production in critical sectors, and building strategic buffers.
It also requires improving infrastructure, logistics, and initiating economic reforms.
The private sector plays a central role in responding to these disruptions.
Firms are at the forefront of adapting supply chains and managing risks.
Governments must therefore enable them through access to finance, regulatory predictability, and efficient trade and logistic systems.
Mr.
President, at the international level, cooperation is indispensable.
Targeting of commercial shipping endangering civilian crew, impeding freedom of navigation in the strait of foremost are unacceptable.
International law in this regard must be fully respected.
Open and predictable trade flows must be preserved and fragmentation avoided.
Coordinated efforts are needed to stabilize energy markets and support countries facing external and fiscal pressures.
Strengthening multilateral financial support mechanisms will also be critical in this regard.
Finally, this crisis underscores the importance of combining immediate response with long term transformation.
Carefully designed policies, particularly those that address structural bottlenecks and market failures can enhance resilience and sustain growth over time.
India remains fully committed to working with all partners to advance collective and practical solutions.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
I thank the Permanent representative of India.
Now, I give the floor to the Permanent representative of Dominican Republic, Vice President of the Ecosx Bureau.
President, the Dominican Republic is grateful for the opportunity to take part in this meeting.
The topic that we're talking about is a matter that is of concern to the entire multilateral system and its ability to respond to the disruptions that undermine the very foundations of development.
In the contemporary global economy, disruptions to energy flows and supplies do not recognize borders.
The recent disruptions in the strait of Hormuz are already leading to more costly fuel prices, scarcer fertilizers, and a consction of tourism and fiscal pressures.
President, as a small island developing state that is a net importer of hydrocarbons and fertilizers, my country is only too aware of this crisis, and this is as a result of a particular of our country's geography and it is particularly severe the crisis for those who have the least capacity to absorb the effects of the crisis.
The international prices of fuels have more than doubled and this is pushing millions of people towards poverty.
Behind every figure, there are specific lives, particularly in the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia.
Against this backdrop, the position of the Dominican Republic is based on three pillars.
First of all, the privacy of international law.
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea is the legal architecture upon which the predictability of global trade rests.
The freedom of navigation is not a diplomatic concession, it is an objective condition for sustainable development.
Any disruption of a critical route falls disproportionately on those who have less resources to deal with it.
Secondly, we must preserve the fiscal headway of developing countries, notably by operationalizing the commitments from Seville, particularly dealing with the debt burden.
Thirdly, we need to have a decisive acceleration in the transition towards renewable energies, which has stopped being a mere climate matter, but rather it is a matter of resilience given vulnerable supply chains.
The Dominican Republic has set itself the goal of achieving 30% renewable energy generation by 2030.
The Dominican Republic welcomes the efforts made by the Secretary-General, in particular, the special team on the Strait of Hormuz and the coordination between the International Energy Agency, the IMF, and the World Bank.
Initiatives in this domain require agile mechanisms and predictable financing.
I thank you.
I thank the Permane representative of Dominican Republic.
Now I give the floor to the Permane representative of Angola.
Mr.
President, Angola aligned itself with its statement delivered on behalf of the African group, that list developing countries and G 77 plus China.
We thank the President of Ecosoc for convening this time of discussion on an issue that has direct implication for global development, economic stability, and the achievement of sustainable development goals.
Recent eruption in energy and supply flows have, once again, exposed the structural vulnerabilities of developing countries, particularly in Africa.
Rising energy prices, inflationary pressures, disruption in trade and logistics, and growing debt burdens continue to affect our economies and the daily lives of our populations.
For Angola, safeguarding energy and supply flows is fundamental link to development, industrialization, food security, poverty, eradication, and regional stability.
As an African energy producer, Africa recognized the Angola recognized the importance of ensuring stable and reliable energy markets, while advancing a just, balanced and inclusive energy transition that takes into account national realities and development priorities.
In this regard, Angola continues to invest in diversification of the country's energy matrix, including hydroelectricity, solar energy, and rural identification programs aimed at expanding access to affordable and sustainable energy.
At the regional level, Angola believes that strengthening the infrastructure and connectivity is essential to enhancing resilience against future global disruption.
In this context, we wish to highlight the strategic importance of the Lubito corridor as a concrete African initiative aimed at improving regional connectivity, facilitating trade, and supporting economic integration across the continent in line with the objectives of the African continental free trade area.
Mr.
President, Angola remains concerned about the shrinking fiscal space faced by many developing countries, particularly in light of rising debt servicing costs and constrained access to affordable financing.
We reiterate the importance of strengthening international cooperation, enhancing access to concessional financing, and supporting investment in resilient infrastructure and sustainable development.
The current challenges before us reinforce the urgent need for a more equitable and development oriented international economic system capable of responding effectively to the realities and priorities of developing countries.
Angolan remains committed to working towards practical and cooperative solutions that strengthen resilience, promote sustainable development, and ensure that no country is left behind.
I thank you.
I thank the Permane Representative of Angola and now I give the floor to the Permane representative of France.
My President.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
Given the urgency of the crisis in the Middle East, which is buffeting our economies and making the most vulnerable suffer, Ecosc, this council must send a clear message, the Strait of Hormuz must be opened without delay and the freedom of navigation must be respected.
Now this message, France has been transmitting this message unstintingly since day one of the conflict.
We've been sending it from the G seven, of which we hold the presidency.
We've been transmitting that same message with the UK through our initiative for maritime navigation in the Homoz Strait, together with 51 countries determined to defend the freedom of navigation to ensure respect for international law and to uphold global economic stability and energy security.
This crisis is exposing our vulnerabilities.
It's making us face the facts our collective dependence on carbon emitting energy sources is no longer sustainable in a world where 80% of countries are net hydrocarbons importers, where 40% of countries spent over 3% of their GDP on fossil fuel imports.
Well, this dependence makes our economies vulnerable to shocks, shocks we have no control over, nor do we have any choice over these shocks.
The environmental challenge and the Paris Agreement obligations thus intersect with the challenges of sovereignty and economic resiliency.
This compels us to draw two conclusions.
First, we need to exit fossil fuels.
Over 50 countries, both producers and consumers of hydrocarbons met a few weeks ago in Colombia to reaffirm together the commitments made at the Cop 28 in Dubai.
France was one of these countries and we walk the talk, recently publishing a roadmap for our transition away from fossil fuels.
The milestones are clear, exiting carbon by 2030, oil by 2045, and fossil gas by 2050.
France supports Vanuatu and its draft resolution on the ICJ International Court of Justice opinion on states obligations vis-à-vis climate change.
This is a a resolution on which the A will vote on the 20th of May.
The second conclusion, foster energy sovereignty.
Each country must aspire to produce its own energy just as it aspires to feed itself.
This requires mass electrification of our economies.
We need more renewable energies and in fact, by 2030, we plan to triple the production thereof as well as buildup of nuclear power.
For many developing countries, achieving the aforementioned objective requires more solidarity so as to mobilize the necessary capital.
At France's behest, the G seven has renewed its commitment to forging cooperation, which bolsters the sovereignty of its partners.
Access to low carbon and reliable energy is also something that's part and parcel of these efforts.
Mr.
President, the resilience of energy supplies is a global public good.
France will support all of Ecosox efforts geared towards making this a reality.
I thank you.
I thank the Pomani representative of France.
Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Timer Ls.
Mr.
President, we thank you for convening this timely and important discussion.
To more or less the aligns itself with the statements delivered by Uruguay on behalf of the group of 77 in China and by Malawi on behalf of the LDCs.
Mr.
President, the ongoing disruptions affecting global energy market and supply chains once again expose a fundamental reality.
Our economies are deeply interconnected, yet unequal in their capacity to absorb external shocks.
For vulnerable developing economies, these disruptions are not temporary inconveniences, but serious challenges with direct implications for sustainable development.
In Timor-Leste, rising fuel and transport costs translates directly into higher food prices, increasing fiscal prices, reduced connectivity, and tangible hardship for our people.
As a small developing economy dependent on imports for many essential goods, volatility in global markets can rapidly affect national resilience and undermine development progress.
At the same time, these challenges reinforce the urgency of accelerating efforts toward more resilient, diversified and sustainable energy system.
Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy remains fundamental for poverty reduction, economic transformation, and the achievement of the sustainable development goals.
Mr.
President, addressing these challenges requires a strong international cooperation and practical measures that support resilience, sustainability, and long term development.
In this regard, Timores wishes to highlight several points.
First, Energy efficiency should be prioritized as a driver of sustainable development, including true investment in efficiency infrastructure and expanded access to sustainable energy solutions.
Improving efficiency can help reduce cost, ease pressure on supply system, and strengthen energy resilience.
Second, scaling up concessional and predictable financing is essential to help developing countries invest in resilience infrastructure and sustainable energy system adapted to national circumstances and development priorities.
Third, the technology transfer must be strengthened in practical and accessible manner.
Enabling countries to deploy, maintain, and adapt sustainable energy technologies according to local needs and capacities.
Fourth, capacity building and institutional strengthening remain indispensable to support long term planning, implementation, and national ownership to sustainable energy strategies.
Fifth, the global energy transition must remain just, inclusive, and development oriented, ensuring that vulnerable countries are supported rather than left behind in global efforts toward sustainability.
Finally, strengthening international cooperation and solidarity remains essential to address the structure I thank the distinguished representative of Timol.
Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Azerbijan to be followed by Singapore, Peru, South Africa, Cuba, Qatar, Indonesia, and Ukraine.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
We aligned with a statement delivered by the Group of G 77 and China.
The growing volatility in global energy markets has once again underscored the strategic importance of energy security, diversification, and resilient infrastructure.
Disruptions in supply chains, price fluctuations, and rising global demand continue to negatively impact development while placing significant pressure on energy systems worldwide.
As a responsible energy producer and committed member of the OPEC Plus framework, Azerbijan supports balanced unpredictable energy markets, excessive volatility benefits neither producers, nor consumers and creates uncertainty for the global economy.
The world continue to rely heavily on hydrocarbons, which still account for around 80% of global energy consumptions.
At the same time, the rapid expansion of AI, digitalization and data centers is accelerating global electricity demand at an unprecedented pace.
This means that the need for diversified energy sources, global supply routes and modern infrastructure will continue to grow in the years ahead.
We believe the future energy policy should be guided by balance between energy security, affordability, and sustainability.
Renewable energy is expanding rapidly and plays an increasingly important role.
However, the global energy transition should be understood not as a process of replacement, but rather one of addition where renewables complement each other in meeting growing global demand.
At the same time, investments in power grid, smart transmission systems, and storage technologies are becoming critically important for energy security and successful green transition.
Azerbijan has consistently pursued balanced and pragmatic energy strategy based on diversification, reliability, and long term partnerships.
At the same time, we're actively advancing our green agenda and implementing plans to develop 8 gigabytes of renewable energy capacity for domestic use, exports, and future data center demand, building on the success of major oil and gas projects.
We are spearheading now a new generation of green energy interconnectors linking the Caspian region, Central Asia, Turkey, and Europe.
Through initiatives such as the Caspian Black Sea Europe Corridor, Azerbaijan Turkey Europe Green Energy Corridor, and trans Caspian projects, we're helping establish a diversified transcontinental energy and digital connectivity bridge.
Together with the fiber optic infrastructure and the development of the middle corridor, these projects will strengthen regional connectivity, support Europe's diversification efforts, and establish a reliable bridge for both electricity and digital connectivity.
We remain committed to contributing to global energy security through reliable supply, diversified infrastructure, and balanced energy policies and enhanced regional cooperation.
Thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of Azerbijan.
Now, I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Singapore.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
The disruptions we're seeing today following the situation in the Strait of Hormuz remind the world that physical delivery still matters today and choke points have real impact.
A fifth of the world's oil flows through that narrow waterway.
When disrupted, energy markets case, supply chains break, and the foundations of global growth are shaken.
This is not someone else's crisis.
These disruptions reach every economy and they hit small, open, trade dependent countries like Singapore hard.
Please allow me to make three points.
First, this disruption is not only cyclical, it is structural.
The World Bank projects growth in East Asia and the Pacific to slow from 5% last year to 4.2% this year.
But the deeper problem is that supply chains are being reconfigured along geopolitical lines rather than economic ones.
The guardrails that brought four decades of growth to our region are weakening.
States feel less bound by rules.
This is potentially dangerous and not only for small states.
Second, our response should not be to look inward.
When countries shut each other out, supply chains break down and everyone is worse off.
So Singapore is doing the opposite.
With Australia, we substantially concluded a protocol on economic resilience and essential supplies to the Singapore Australia Free Trade Agreement.
With New Zealand, we have signed the world's first legally binding bilateral agreement on trade in essential supplies.
Both underscore our respective governments commitment not to impose unnecessary export restrictions on essential goods, food, fuel, medicines, when crisis hits.
Third, these disruptions offer a window of opportunity to rethink how we cooperate.
The future of Investment and Trade Partnership or FTP, which is a plurilateral cross regional initiative comprised of 16 small and medium sized economies is a good example.
In March, FTP members issued a joint statement on maintaining open and resilient supply chains to keep trade routes open and refrain from trade restrictive measures on essential goods.
That is FTP working as it should as a pathfinder for practical solutions that complement and reinforce WTO rules.
Similarly, the disruptions are an opportunity to redouble efforts to increase energy trade.
Singapore is working with our Asean neighbors to accelerate the development of the Asean power grid.
It will allow Asean member states to treat electricity across borders while strengthening our energy resilience and advancing our energy transition.
Mr.
President, Singapore will keep faith with our partners and play our part to ensure that markets and supply chains continue to be kept open.
We must work together to mitigate the long term effects of fragmentation so that we can become more resilient and energy secure.
Thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of Singapore.
Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Peru.
Okay.
Thank you very much, President, for giving me the floor.
President, Peru is grateful for the convening of the special meeting of EcoSoc against a backdrop of increasing disruptions to energy supply.
This has a significant impact on the global economy, financial stability, and perspectives for development, particularly in developing countries.
These challenges show the need to strengthen international cooperation given that they are international issues.
No country can address the volatility of energy prices alone.
For Peru, energy security is a pillar of development.
In this regard, we have been implementing our national energy policy looking towards 2040, which is based on energy efficiency and diversifying our energy mix as a way to reduce our vulnerability to external shocks.
Peru also has significant opportunities to contribute to a sustainable energy transition and a high degree of potential of renewable energies, particularly solar and wind energy as a means to carry out this transition.
We need to promote resilient supply chains that can bring about development in producing countries and stability in the entire energy system globally.
President, immediate responses must be complemented with a medium and long term vision based on international cooperation, investment in resilience, and strengthening national capacities.
Peru reaffirms its determination to contribute to multilateral solutions to bring about safer, more sustainable and resilient supply chains.
I thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of Peru.
Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of South Africa.
Mr.
President, South Africa aligned itself with the statement delivered by Uruguay on behalf of the G 77 in China and Mauritius on behalf of the Africa group, and we'd like to add the following in its national capacity.
The Middle East is the largest supplier of oil and gas to many parts of the world.
Therefore, any instability in this region, including its choke points such as the Strait of Hormuz, triggers market volatility, energy, and supply chain disruptions across the global economy.
The heightened volatility in global energy markets has national, regional and global impacts.
At at the national level, of concern to South Africa is the impact of shipping disruptions and the increase in global fuel prices on the cost of living and food security.
This is because 70% of South Africa's fuel is imported due to a lack of refining capacity.
To address this concern, the government of South Africa constituted a ministerial task team to coordinate its response.
One of the task team's earliest interventions was to recommend reduction of the national fuel levy from early April to early May this year.
Which is traditionally a period when the new fuel levy is initiated, the government also acted swiftly to secure alternative sources of fuel to prevent fuel shortage and ensure security of supply.
At regional and continental levels, the current conflict exposes the vulnerabilities of import dependent economies across Africa, as we have seen with the Russia Ukraine conflict and during the COVID 19 pandemic.
The African Union's Agenda 2063 recognizes that Africa's development must rest on modern infrastructure, including energy systems that are integrated, reliable, and capable of supporting industrial transformation.
The ten year Africa Energy Infrastructure Investment Plan, inaugurated under South Africa's G 20 presidency is a deliberate effort to address Africa's continental energy security in a manner that aligns with Agenda 2060 three's energy policy that advocates energy independence.
At the global level, South Africa commends the Secretary-General for establishing the task force for the Strait of Hormuz to facilitate the safe passage of fertilizers and related raw materials for humanitarian purposes.
We hope that the task force like the Black Sea Green Initiative, will enjoy universal support.
To conclude, South Africa believes that energy security can be assured when member states work collectively to safeguard and abide by international law to resolve any dispute in a peaceful manner.
Thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of South Africa.
Now, I give the floor to the distinguished permanent representative of Cuba.
Thank you, President.
President Cuba is grateful for the convening of this special meeting at a time when disruptions to energy supply continue to deepen inequalities, vulnerabilities that are pertain to the current unfair economic order.
The increase in the price of energy and financial restrictions have a direct impact on industrial policy, transport, food security, and the provision of basic services.
For developing countries, these impacts lead to greater indebtedness and a reduction of the necessary fiscal headroom to implement development policies.
In the case of Cuba, this is exacerbated by the embargo that has been imposed upon us by the government of the United States, as well as the ratcheting up of measures that are geared towards preventing our country from accessing fuel and essential technologies.
The measures taken against vessels and banks and threats to impose tariffs are all a deliberate attempt to prevent Cuba from accessing energy and it is having a direct impact on our people.
Just to illustrate this, Cuba has had to postpone 96,000 surgeries, 11,000 of which were to be for children as a result of the lack of energy in our country.
There is no moral justification for these deliberate acts by the United States.
In spite of these circumstances, we have taken measures to protect our people and to protect essential services while also promoting the development of renewable sources of energy and food sovereignty as pillars of our resilience.
Experience shows that no country can combat and address these crises in isolation.
We need to beef up international cooperation and multilateralism.
The UN should play a more active role in supporting developing countries through effective mechanisms for technical financial assistance and providing responses to these crises.
International financial institutions should also guarantee equitable access on an equal footing for all countries to financing, particularly for those countries affected by external shocks such as these.
We are committed to multilateralism and to finding effective, inclusive solutions to deal with these global challenges.
I thank you.
I thank the Permanent representative of Cuba.
Now I give the floor to the Permanent representative of Qatar.
Thank you, Mr.
President, the State of Qatar expresses its appreciation for the convening of this special meeting at a time when the world is facing increasing challenges affecting energy security, supply chain, economic stability, and sustainable development.
Mr.
President, the State of Qatar continues to play its role as a reliable and responsible partner in enhancing global energy security as one of the world's largest exporters of liquefied natural gas.
We have been consistently providing stable and reliable supplies of liquefied natural gas to many countries in Asia, Europe, and around the world.
Contributing thereby to the stability of international markets.
At the same time, we continue to invest in natural gas projects, renewable energy, and clean technologies, and in the gradual transition towards a more sustainable future to reach a balance between energy security and climate action.
Mr.
President, as a result of the war in the region, a missile unjustified missile attack carried out by the Islamic Republic of Iran targeted Ras Afan industrial city in Qatar.
This caused severe damage to the world's largest liquefied natural gas facility.
We therefore had to declare force majeure with regard to production.
The damage reduced the state of Qatar's capacity to export liquefied natural gas by 12.8 million tons annually, which equals 70% of our annual exports.
The repair operations of the natural gas production facilities will take up to five years, which will affect supplies and global markets.
Mr.
President, the State of Qatar has from the outset warned that the closure of the Strait of Hormos would turn the crisis from a regional one into a global one.
Prices would fluctuate sharply.
Shipping operations and international trade would get disrupted, transportation and production costs would surge.
This is due to the strait being a vital artery for the trade of oil liquefied natural gas and international trade.
The state of Qatar stresses the need to keep the energy sector or rather to ensure that the international maritime quarters remain open and safe in accordance with International law and Security Council resolutions, in particular, resolution 552 of 1984, and resolution 28 17 of 2026, immediate steps to remove any naval mines in the strait of Hormuz must be taken.
The laying of mines and the collection of fees from commercial vessels must stop.
This is a collective responsibility to protect the global economy and global energy security.
In conclusion, Mr.
President of the State of Qatar reiterates its commitment working with the international community, the UN and all partners to ensure the security and sustainability of energy and supply flows and to support global development efforts.
I thank you, Mr.
President.
I thank the permanent representative of Qatar and now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Indonesia.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
Indonesia align itself to the statement delivered by Uruguay on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
Indonesia welcomes the convening of this timely special meeting of the EcoSo to address current challenges with such an urgent and common response.
We further commend your leadership as a president, especially at the moment when disruptions in key trade and energy corridors continue to generate serious implications for global development.
The current disruptions in global energy supply chains are evolving beyond a temporary shock into a multidimensional development crisis, affecting food security, fiscal stability, trade, and socioeconomic resilience.
These disruptions also risk reversing the hard earned progress towards the SDGs, affecting the most vulnerable, including women, youth, migrant workers, seafarers, and low income households.
On this note, the international community must focus on the three pertinent points.
First, advancing global solidarity and keeping trade and energy flows open.
The UN must continue to serve as a platform for confidence building and coordinated international responses, including in safeguarding critical maritime and trade corridors.
We therefore welcome the establishment of the task force for the Strait of Hormuz as a practical mechanism to de escalate this crisis.
Indonesia stresses that any mechanism developed must be firmly anchored in international law, including unclas while respecting the sovereignty of state, ensuring the involvement of coastal states and maintaining measures that are proportionate and transparent.
Second, strengthening resilience through sustainable inclusive energy security.
The current crisis demonstrates the importance of ensuring accessibility and affordability of energy, while also accelerating energy resources, diversification, and investment in renewable energy, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable supply chain.
For developing countries, robust partnerships, technology transfer, and affordable financing remain essentials.
Third, strengthening international financial and social support systems.
Shrinking fiscal space is limiting the ability of many developing countries to respond to shock effectively.
Therefore, reforming the international financial architecture is crucial, including through concessional financing, debt relief measures, and emergency support mechanism.
Social protection systems must also be more adaptive, targeted, and inclusive to ensure that no one is left behind.
Mr.
President, Indonesia stands ready to work with all partners to build a more resilient global economy while maintaining international peace and stability.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
I thank the distinguished representative of Indonesia.
Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Ukraine.
Thank you, President.
Our full version of our statement was sent to the Secretariat.
Today's discussion is extremely relevant because the world is once again witnessing how disruptions in energy trade and transport corridors rapidly evolve into broader development crisis affecting millions of people far beyond the immediate conflict zones.
Since 2022, Russia's full scale war of aggression against Ukraine has demonstrated how energy, food, and maritime routes can be weaponized, generating far reaching consequences for global development, food security and economic stability.
Russia's attacks against Ukraine's energy infrastructure, ports, grain terminals, and commercial shipping have directly affected global food security, energy prices, supply chains, and inflation.
Developing countries, especially food importing countries are and vulnerable economies have suffered the most from these shocks.
It is therefore important that the concept note of today's meeting recalls the establishment by the UN Secretary-General in 2022 of the Global Crisis Response Group on food, energy, and finance in response to the global implications of Russia's war against Ukraine.
This was a recognition that armed aggression against one country can generate profound economic and social consequences worldwide.
Despite the ongoing attacks, Ukraine has continued to contribute to global stability and food security.
Through the functioning of the Ukrainian maritime corridor, millions of tons of agricultural exports continue to reach in international markets.
Mr.
President, current tensions in the Gulf region and threats to navigation in the strait of Hormud once again demonstrate the fragility of global energy and supply systems.
Any disruptions in this strategic maritime corridor immediately affects global energy prices, transport costs, inflation, and economic stability worldwide.
Ukraine is ready to play its part in ensuring the security and stability of energy supplies by using our pipelines, infrastructure, underground gas storage, and other facilities to implement regional energy projects.
Ukraine believes that international community must strengthen collective efforts aimed at protecting critical infrastructure, safeguarding maritime security, included by addressing the illegal activity of the Russian shadow fleet.
Ensuring resilient and diversified supply chains.
Investments in renewable energy, energy, interconnect connectivity, and sustainable infrastructure are also essential for reducing global vulnerability to future shocks.
I thank you very much.
I thank the distinguished representative of Ukraine Excellencies, distinguished delegates.
They have just heard the last speaker for this morning meeting.
The council will reconvene this afternoon at 3:00 P.M.
To continue to hear the general statement as well as to conclude the special meeting.
More details on the program are available on the IGO platform.
Looking forward to seeing you in the afternoon.
The meeting is adjourned.