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Excellencies, colleagues, friends

It is a pleasure to join you today. 

UNOPS is delighted to support the Global Grids Accelerator by bringing expertise in procurement, infrastructure and project management to turn national plans into clean reliable power for millions of people. 

To move from ambition to impact, the energy transition requires delivery on the ground. 

We know what is at stake. There is no shortage of ambition when it comes to electricity grids. Countries have plans, targets and, in many cases, projects that have already been identified.

But the money is not following at the same pace. Southeast Asia spent less on grid and storage capacity in 2025 than in 2015, and Africa still draws 3% of global energy investment for a fifth of the world's population. 

The challenge is getting from plans to something that can actually be financed, procured and built.  

The Global Grid Accelerator can make a real difference. It brings together expertise across different parts of the grid's agenda, around common priorities.

Across Africa and the ASEAN region, we can provide practical project-delivery support to turn regional grid priorities into bankable and implementable projects. Our offer spans project preparation and specialized implementation capacity, to complement the policy, regulatory and financing roles of other UN agencies.

We build on a strong delivery record. 

In Indonesia, we supported critical energy transition efforts through modernization of the Jawa-Madura-Bali (JAMALI) grid - the backbone of the country’s power system. In Peru, we have worked with the state owned utility company on major hydroelectric and transmission-related works. We are now supporting the procurement of high-voltage transformers for Papua New Guinea, and in Sierra Leone we have supported renewable energy access through equipment procurement and the operator tender for rural electrification. 

UNOPS often works alongside utility companies, helping manage procurement, support supervision and commissioning, and put systems and procedures in place that can continue to be used after the project is finished. 

The focus of the Accelerator on emerging markets and developing economies, initially across Africa, and ASEAN, is particularly important as we come together in this crucial moment for the energy transition - amid a global energy crisis. 

For UNOPS, the value of the Accelerator is straightforward: bringing the right expertise together, helping countries prepare projects properly, and then helping them get those projects delivered.

In short - we are committed to offering practical solutions that turn ambitions into sustainable energy infrastructure that benefits communities. 

Thank you.