In a world of accelerating climate impacts, geopolitical volatility, and structural inequality, emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) face a dual imperative: decarbonize while building economic resilience. Many remain exposed to external shocks through commodity dependence and fossil fuel imports, even as digitalization, AI, and rising demand for critical minerals are reshaping global competitiveness. This moment presents a historic opportunity for mineral- and energy-rich developing countries to move beyond raw material exports and claim higher-value roles in global value chains.  

The challenge has shifted from setting climate targets to ensuring implementation translates into real productivity gains, industrial upgrading, and inclusive diversification. This requires coherent industrial and economic policy, systems-based planning, and the mobilization of long-term institutional and catalytic capital at scale — including sovereign, pension, and philanthropic finance — to reduce risk perceptions in frontier markets and accelerate deployment.  

Just energy transitions, when embedded in broader industrial strategy, can serve as engines of structural transformation. Electrification, clean industrial upgrading, and digital integration generate employment multipliers and stronger domestic value chains, while just transition principles enhance political durability and social cohesion. A particular focus on rural and peri-urban areas — where productive-use energy access supports livelihoods and reduces migration — is essential for inclusive and territorially resilient outcomes.  

Policy coherence across energy, industry, trade, finance, and social protection is critical to ensure transitions are economically viable, socially inclusive, and politically sustainable. Gender equality, youth participation, and digital capability must be treated as drivers of resilient delivery. Ultimately, the Global South must be a co-architect — not merely a market — in the emerging green industrial economy. The Plenary will pave the way for the two subsequent Roundtables, which will focus on solutions such as green industrial hubs and economic corridors powered by sustainable energy and designed to strengthen local green manufacturing capacity.

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