UN Private Sector Forum calls for faster public-private action to deliver a clean, just and secure energy future

CEOs, Heads of State and Government and United Nations leaders identify investment, infrastructure and policy priorities needed to accelerate the global energy transition

NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Business, Government and UN leaders today called for stronger public-private cooperation to accelerate investment in clean energy, strengthen energy security and expand access to affordable power, as the 2026 United Nations Private Sector Forum concluded at UN Headquarters in New York.

Hosted by the UN Global Compact on behalf of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the invitation-only Forum brought together more than 100 Chief Executive Officers, Heads of State and Government, United Nations leaders and other senior decision-makers for a focused discussion on what is needed to deliver a clean, just and secure energy transition at greater speed and scale.

Participants underscored that growing private-sector demand for clean power and rapidly falling technology costs are creating significant investment opportunities. But they also highlighted persistent barriers to deployment, including insufficient grid infrastructure, policy and regulatory uncertainty, financing constraints and limited energy access in many emerging and developing markets.

The discussions focused on how Governments and business can work together to overcome these barriers and create the conditions for greater private investment in clean energy generation, transmission and supporting infrastructure.

Opening the Forum, Guterres addressed the urgency of accelerating the global energy transition and closing the gap between existing commitments and the pace of change required to keep the 1.5°C goal within reach.

"The companies in this room have the capital, technology, supply chains, consumer base and expertise to supercharge the renewables revolution: By investing in clean power and energy efficiency; Using your purchasing power to create markets for clean technologies; And continuing to build the infrastructure of the future," said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact, said: "Business has an essential role to play in delivering the energy transition, and companies are increasingly ready to invest. But ambition and capital alone are not enough. We need the grids, policy frameworks, financing structures and partnerships that allow investment to move from the balance sheet into the real economy. The opportunity is to bring Governments and business together around a common objective: build the clean, affordable and resilient energy systems that companies and communities increasingly need. That is good climate policy, good energy policy and good economic policy."

The Forum took place as geopolitical uncertainty and disruption to global supply chains have increased the strategic importance of secure and diversified energy systems. Participants discussed how accelerating clean energy deployment can support not only climate goals, but also economic resilience, competitiveness and energy security.

A central theme was the need to translate growing demand for clean energy into investment at scale.

Chief Executives and public-sector leaders examined practical approaches to financing clean energy projects, including how blended finance, public investment and risk-sharing mechanisms can help mobilize private capital, particularly in markets where perceived or actual investment risks remain high.

Participants also highlighted grid infrastructure as a critical constraint on the next phase of the energy transition. Rapid growth in renewable generation, electrification and new sources of electricity demand requires investment not only in clean generation, but in the transmission, distribution and storage infrastructure needed to connect new capacity to businesses and consumers.

Discussions also focused on the importance of consistent and predictable policy signals. Participants emphasized that Governments can help unlock greater private investment by creating stable regulatory frameworks, accelerating permitting and infrastructure development, and providing greater long-term visibility for businesses making major capital allocation decisions.

At the same time, leaders stressed that the energy transition must expand opportunity rather than deepen existing inequalities.

In many emerging and developing economies, access to affordable and reliable energy remains a fundamental constraint on economic growth. Participants explored how public and private capital can work together to expand energy access in underserved markets while supporting local economic development, job creation and more resilient energy systems.

The discussions formed part of a collective business response to the UN Secretary-General's call for accelerated action on the clean energy transition, bringing private-sector perspectives directly into dialogue with Governments and the United Nations.

About the United Nations Global Compact
As a special initiative of the United Nations Secretary-General, the UN Global Compact is a call to companies worldwide to align their operations and strategies with Ten Principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. Our vision is clear: to mobilize business to transform sustainability ambition into action at the scale the world demands. With more than 25,000 participants and a presence in over 100 countries through 5 Regional Hubs and more than 70 Country Networks and expansion territories, the UN Global Compact is the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative.

For more information, follow @globalcompact on social media and visit the UN Global Compact website.

SOURCE United Nations Global Compact