To further discussions over the development of sustainable bioenergy, the IBI sponsors and participates in many conferences and events worldwide.

“Sustainable Bioenergy: Challenges and Opportunities”
Co-sponsored by the UN Foundation and the German NGO Forum for
Environment & Development
IKBB Centre
Bonn, Germany
October 12-13, 2006

Bioenergy is a rapidly developing energy sector and a global market is already forming. While the current “bioenergy boom” brings many important benefits, it also raises environmental and socio-economic concerns. The challenge is thus to manage large-scale bioenergy use in a sustainable way. The focus of the conference was to discuss and define sustainable pathways for bioenergy use with all involved stakeholders.

This international conference brought together experts from governments, NGOs, business, and science for a series of dynamic discussions. The conference outcome is a productive “Chairman’s Conclusion” report identifying some key sustainability criteria and recommendations agreed to by most, if not all, of the major stakeholders.

For more information, news coverage, and resources, click here.

”One More Round for Bioenergy”
WTO Public Forum 2006
World Trade Organization
Geneva, Switzerland
September 25-26, 2006

The UN Foundation participated in the annual WTO Public Forum, held on September 25-26, 2006, which had called upon NGOs, IGOs, and other public and private organizations to join with WTO Members in reflecting on the type of WTO that they would like to see in the 21st Century. In a well-noted keynote address, Foundation’s Chairman, Ted Turner proposed the production of biofuels as way to break impasse over agriculture subsidies; to help alleviate global poverty

For more information, news coverage, and resources, click here.

“Working Together: The UN Biofuels Initiative”
Meeting of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-14)
New York, NY
May 10, 2006

The Commission on Sustainable Development is a unique UN forum that brings together government officials and representatives from a broad spectrum of civil society to discuss and recommend solutions that promote sustainable development. The 2006 CSD worked to identify the barriers and constraints, as well as the lessons learned and best practices, in four largely interlinked areas: energy for sustainable development, industrial development, air pollution/atmosphere and climate change.

During CSD-14, The UN Foundation hosted a side-event targeting officials from delegations of developing countries responsible for programmatic and technical issues; embassy officials; prominent NGOs and foundations; and interested key media groups covering renewable energy/biofuels. The discussion focused on the importance of coherence and coordination among UN agencies in their efforts to promote biofuels. The overreaching goal of the event was to promote and showcase UN agency capabilities on Biofuels to support sustainable development opportunities for developing countries.

“Assessing the Biofuels Options”
International Energy Agency
Co-sponsored by the UN Foundation, International Energy Agency and the Government of Brazil
Paris, France
June 20 – 21, 2005

Global concerns about oil prices, the effects of fossil fuel use on the environment, as well as recognition of the benefits of energy supply diversification support increasing biofuels production and use.

The seminar explored the near-term and longer-term global prospects for biofuels for transport, focusing mainly on the development of new markets.

For more information, news coverage, and resources, click here.

“Re-Thinking The Energy Paradigm”
WTO Public Symposium 2005
World Trade Organization
Geneva, Switzerland
April 21, 2005

The UN Foundation sponsored a panel discussion at the WTO Public Symposium 2005. The panelists -- experts in trade, energy, environment, and economic development -- discussed innovative approaches for the WTO trade talks to realize the development opportunities of renewable energy while addressing global climate change.

For more information, news coverage, and resources, click here.