Delegation: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Committee: United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
Topic: Facilitating the Transition from Oil-Based Economies to Renewable Energy in LEDCs
Date: May 16, 2025
Honourable Chair, Esteemed Delegates,
The United Kingdom stands before you as a nation that has walked the path of transition—from the coal-powered engines of our industrial past to a present where over half of our homes are powered by clean, renewable sources. We understand the challenges, and we are committed to the solutions.
In many Less Economically Developed Countries, oil-based economies continue to drive growth. But this growth is fragile—tied to volatile markets, environmental degradation, and the escalating consequences of climate change. This is not just their challenge; it is ours—collectively.
Guided by the principles of the Paris Agreement and underpinned by our £11.6 billion International Climate Finance commitment, the United Kingdom champions a just transition for LEDCs. We have seen solar microgrids electrify rural communities in Africa and wind farms uplift regions in Asia—proof that clean energy can power development without compromise.
Yet, the obstacles remain formidable:
- Funding gaps
- Technological disparities
- The human cost of economic transformation
These require more than rhetoric—they require resolute action.
The United Kingdom proposes:
- A Global Energy Transition Partnership to direct capital and expertise to where it is needed most
- A Green Skills Initiative to retrain workers from oil-dependent sectors for clean-energy futures
- A Just Transition Fund to mitigate the fiscal and social impacts of this shift
We offer our experience—decades of responsibly phasing out fossil fuels—and our resources to help forge a path forward.
Distinguished delegates, the choice is clear: cling to the past, or build a just and sustainable future. The United Kingdom urges this council to choose progress, equity, and unity.
Thank you.