SES 2023 AT COP 27
In November 2022, the Student Energy Summit 2023 team participated in COP27, the UN Climate Change Conference, in Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt. COP is the key annual platform for countries to collaborate on climate action and enhance their climate ambitions. SES team members went to Sharm El-Sheikh as a part of the UAE delegation and engaged in conversations related to the role of youth in the energy transition by leading and speaking at side events.
Student Energy Summit 2023 Abu Dhabi: Uniting & Empowering Youth for the Energy Transition was a side event hosted at the UAE Pavilion and it was the first ever in-person public event organised in relation to the summit. Opening remarks were provided by Beniamin Strzelecki, Co-Chair of SES 2023 and Helen Watts, Senior Director of Partnerships of Student Energy. During the panel discussion, representatives of UNIDO, TAQA and IRENA’s Global Council on SDG 7, provided their insights on the gaps for empowerment of young people in the energy sector that SES 2023 could address. More than 40+ people were in attendance during the event.
Additionally, SES 2023 team members represented the summit at panel discussions hosted at the Youth Pavilion and the Minderoo Foundation Pavilion and they engaged in bilateral meetings with high-level representatives. They introduced the summit to HE Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA and HE Majid Al Suwaidi, Director-General of COP28.
SES 2023 AT ADSW
In January 2023, the Student Energy Summit 2023 team participated in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, an annual platform hosted by Masdar that brings together decision makers, thought leaders and other stakeholders to discuss sustainability agenda. The SES 2023 representatives engaged as delegates at the IRENA Assembly, the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum, the World Future Energy Summit and the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum to promote youth empowerment in energy transition.
At the IRENA Pavilion, SES 2023 hosted a side event titled Delivering on the Needs of Young People for the Energy Transition. After stage-setting remarks by Helen Watts, Incoming Executive Director of Student Energy, representatives of Etihad, COP28 Presidency and start-up Greenbelt Energy engaged in a conversation about the outstanding needs of young people to be meaningfully engaged in energy transition and how these needs can be bridged by events like SES 2023 and COP28.
SES 2023 also hosted a partner session at the Youth 4 Sustainability Pavilion titled Intergenerational Collaboration for the Energy Transition: Case Studies from Around the World. During the panel discussion, representatives of Bezos Earth Fund and UNICEF shared their insights on inspiring innovations and solutions driven by young people to achieve net zero energy system. At the closing of the session, the winning video from the SES 2023 Video Contest was shown.
80+ people participated in the in-person side events hosted at ADSW. Additionally, SES 2023 team members engaged in bilateral meetings with high-level representatives. They introduced the summit to HE Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure for Energy and Petroleum Sector.
SES 2023 at spirec
In February 2023, the SES team participated in the International Renewable Energy Conference in Madrid, Spain (SPIREC) co-hosted by REN21 and the Spanish Government. The 2023 SES team's participation contributed to developing the SPIREC Declaration, which highlighted the need to build a new and inclusive energy order around renewables.
The 2023 SES team's participation in the event centered around promoting youth empowerment in the energy transition and sharing insights on intergenerational collaboration, building momentum toward making 2023 the Year of Renewables. In a breakout session titled Renewables Leading the Transition: Just, equitable, distributed, inclusive, Julie Beaulieu, Vice Chair of Delegate Relations, intervened by sharing that capacity building is crucial in order to prepare the youth for the opportunities that a transition towards green energy will create.
In another session titled Engaging Citizens from the Bottom Up, Erica Wu, Co-Vice Chair of Programming, shared that there is still a greater need for including youth in the energy transition to strengthen the energy transition process and build future leaders. Representatives by ITUC, ICLEI, CAN Tanzania, and PADIE also engaged in the discussion about grassroot organization and taking into account of the affected population in the energy sector.
These sessions attracted 70+ attendees. By participating in SPIREC, the SES 2023 team had the opportunity to work collectively with other stakeholders to inspire, mobilize, and create societal support for the energy transition.
SES 2023 AT WUC
In May 2023, the SES 2023 team participated in the World Utilities Congress, an global conference and exhibition convening leaders and industry representatives from the utilities sector hosted by TAQA. Mira Aljallaf, Co-Chair, represented SES 2023 on the Youth Steering Committee of the first-ever Youth Energy Forum that took place during WUF.
During the Youth Energy Forum, SES 2023 hosted the opening panel discussion focused on Women in Energy. Moderated by Maha Mohamed, Director of Public Relations, the discussion featured high-level representatives from TAQA, Bezos Earth Fund and IRENA. The inspiring women on the panel shared their personal stories and their vision for an ambitious and just energy transition. The event was also a stage for the launch of the SES Essay Competition hosted in partnership with Cleary Gottlieb LLP. 40+ people participated in this event.
Additionally, SES team members spoke at sessions led by partner organizations. Beniamin Strzelecki, Co-Chair, participated in a workshop Connecting Youth Across Sectors to Enable Future Collaboration hosted by Abu Dhabi Global Shapers and Hoor Ahli, Director of Legacy and Impact, delivered her remarks during a talk The Next Generation of Sustainability Leaders hosted by Youth 4 Sustainability.
The Youth Energy Forum was an exciting opportunity to bring youth groups and other stakeholders from the region and beyond for an inspiring conversation on the future of the energy and utilities sector. SES 2023 team is looking forward to continued engagement with these partners in the run-up to SES 2023 and COP28.
SES 2023 At cem14
In July 2023, Arya Kanade from the Student Energy Summit 2023 participated in the G20 Clean Energy Ministerial 14 (CEM14) in Goa, India. Aligned with "Advancing Clean Energy Together," Arya engaged as a delegate in insightful sessions and panel discussions, contributing to discussions on youth empowerment in the energy transition.
CEM14/MI-8 showcased cutting-edge global advancements and included Ministerial plenaries on July 21, 2023, and G20 Energy Transition Ministerial meetings on July 22, 2023. Hosted by the Indian Ministry of Power, the event received support from IRENA, with plans to present progress at COP28 in Dubai, particularly focusing on scaling low-carbon fuel production.
Arya's perspective from SES 2023 played a vital role, and SES delegate members actively participated in discussions and networking, connecting with global delegates. This experience provided valuable insights into the global energy transition and strengthened collaborative efforts for a sustainable future.
SES 2023 At MENA CLIMATE WEEK
In October 2023, the MENA Climate Week Action Hub featured an impactful session spotlighting the crucial roles of women and youth in the energy sector. Held on the 11th of October, the session focused on raising awareness about their significant contributions to industry growth and sustainability within the MENA region, emphasizing success stories and best practices. Notably, it delved into the specific challenges and opportunities faced by women and youth in the energy sector in the UAE, committing to exploring solutions.
A central theme was the call for stakeholder collaboration to foster a more inclusive and diverse energy industry in the MENA region. The discussion highlighted the importance of education and training for women's entry and advancement in the sector. The session aimed to inspire and motivate young women to pursue meaningful careers in MENA's energy sector.
SES Youth Circle at New York Climate Week
As SES 2023 sets to become the largest youth-led energy event globally, its presence at New York Climate Week left an indelible mark. A key highlight was the SES 2023 Youth Circle on Energy Transition, a dynamic session that unfolded on September 21 at the Intercontinental Exchange Office. The Youth Circle featured a distinguished lineup of speakers, including keynote speaker Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA, and experts from Bezos Earth Fund, Orsted, Student Energy, Rocky Mountain Institute, and an International Youth Delegate from COP28. Moderated by Beniamin Strzelecki, Co-Chair of SES 2023, the session delved into priorities for energy transition, the role of youth, and the significance of international youth events like SES 2023. An exciting partnership announcement with Bezos Earth Fund added a special touch to the event, emphasizing the commitment to youth-led initiatives.
As SES 2023 aligned with its mission to bridge gaps in youth participation, foster collaboration, and provide transformative spaces, this Youth Circle stood as a testament to its commitment to shaping the future of sustainable energy. This impactful session amplified youth voices, set the stage for transformative change, and paved the way for a cleaner, fairer, and more equitable energy future.
