The International Vienna Energy and Climate Forum (IVECF) opened today at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna under the guiding motto “Powering Prosperity, Security and Stability”. Over the next two days, the IVECF will bring together leaders from governments, international organizations, the private sector, financial institutions, research communities and civil society to accelerate action for equitable, climate-resilient development.
The Forum is organized by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) together with the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of Austria, the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA).
UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller emphasizes: "This Forum takes place at a time of growing geopolitical instability and conflict. Rising prices for energy, fertilizers and food affect everyone – but once again, it is developing countries that pay the highest price, just as they do when it comes to climate change. But it is also a moment of opportunity. Developing countries have the potential not only to meet their own energy demand, but to become exporters of clean energy and to accelerate their sustainable industrial development, through local value addition and job creation in the sector. What we need now is stronger international cooperation and a new deal for investment and innovation in industry and clean energy in the Global South – to turn the energy transition into a driver of prosperity, security and stability for all.”
Austria's Federal Minister for European and International Affairs, Beate Meinl-Reisinger, notes: "The volatility we are once again witnessing in supply and prices is a stark reminder that energy dependence comes at a cost – not least in terms of stability and security. We must accelerate the transition to sustainable, secure and affordable energy through stronger international cooperation. I am proud that Vienna is bringing together so many committed partners at a time when joint action for our shared energy future matters more than ever.”
Convened at a time of heightened global uncertainty and an ongoing energy crisis, the Forum underscores the urgency of advancing solutions that confront these challenges by accelerating energy transition, green industrialization and climate resilience. By advancing integrated solutions, the Forum aims to reduce resource dependency, mitigate price volatility in the current energy crisis, create jobs and tackle inequalities, strengthening security, stability and shared prosperity for all. Discussions will also explore green industrial recovery in crisis-affected regions.
The energy transition, coupled with green industrialization, can expand sustainable energy access, stimulate new green industries, create economic diversification and enhance competitiveness. Mineral- and renewable energy-rich developing countries have the opportunity to move beyond raw material exports and capture higher-value roles in global value chains. The transition also opens significant opportunities for women and youth, enabling greater participation in emerging green sectors, entrepreneurship and skilled employment. The IVECF will explore the enabling policies and investment frameworks needed to harness this potential.
The Forum will also delve into specific solutions for countries most vulnerable to climate change, with a strong focus on scaling South–South and triangular cooperation. This includes advancing policy replication, technology diffusion and co-investment with Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
As a forward-looking and action-oriented platform, the IVECF serves as a launchpad for new investments and partnerships. The Forum will discuss the operationalization of the Belém Declaration on Global Green Industrialization through a multi-year implementation plan focused on knowledge creation, international dialogue and country-driven delivery, helping reduce fragmentation and accelerate action. In addition, the IVECF will contribute substantive inputs to the emerging discussions on the Post-2030 Development Agenda.
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