The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Asia Clean Energy Forum (ACEF) Wednesday said that Asia and the Pacific has a huge and growing demand for energy and is also highly vulnerable to climate change and related challenges such as extreme weather patterns and food insecurity. The region’s health and prosperity hinges on how it responds to these challenges, the forum maintained while gathering for its 7th meeting being held at ADB headquarters. The forum was formally opened by ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda, said ADB press statement received here Wednesday. Development of renewable energy such as solar and wind power is key to address these issues, but other measures are also needed to cope with these challenges. High-level experts and investors 7th ACEF have gathered at ADB headquarters to exchange experiences and forge new partnerships to advance clean energy development in the region, the statement added. “A holistic approach toward a low-carbon economy should be created and established, which will cover not only the energy sector, but also the transport, water, urban, agriculture sectors,” said Bindu Lohani, Vice President, Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development at ADB who gave opening remarks at the forum Wednesday. At the same time, the region needs to ensure that all those who need energy to improve their lives and livelihoods are able to access a safe and reliable source. “We have prioritized and maximized access to energy for the poor and we must strengthen global momentum in support of universal energy access,” Lohani said. Almost 700 million people in Asia and the Pacific still have no access to an electricity supply. This lack of access holds back economic development, reinforcing growing inequality in the region.
