Resilient Energy Development through South-South Cooperation

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Title of the Side Event

Resilient Energy Development Through South-South Cooperation

Background
- Access to affordable sustainable energy is a pre-requisite for reducing poverty, accessing health services, mitigating climate change and catalyzing economic recovery. Sustainable renewable energy constitutes one of the key elements that contributes to (i) enhancing resilience due to the availability of affordable sources of energy, and (ii) helping the electricity utilities in satisfying the increasing demand.

- Given the fact that till now in various countries, small rural communities at remote locations mostly rely on unsustainable, inefficient and expensive diesel units for their energy needs. Thanks to the significant cost reductions over the last decade, decentralized solutions based on renewable technologies, particularly solar photovoltaic (PV) based electrification infrastructure (e.g., rooftop systems, mini grids, etc.), have become an economically viable option to provide electricity at remote locations. This complements utility scale affordable renewable energy provided for big cities.

Rationale
- The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), in line with its energy sector and regional cooperation and integration policies, is supporting its Member Countries in developing affordable renewable energy interventions, and promoting regional cooperation using various mechanisms such as PPP, Reverse Linkage1 etc. This would be one of the key streams to fast-track sustainability and enhance resilience.

- Building on its previous experiences under Reverse Linkage, the Bank is in the process of developing a regional program for its Member Countries in Africa to develop renewable energy interventions. This program will be leveraging on technical partners as well as private sector institutions from Member Countries and the Global South to support developing, financing and structuring these interventions using the spirit of solidarity and a win-win approach of South-South Cooperation.

- Supporting the development of comprehensive and affordable renewable energy interventions would have a positive impact on the development of social and economic sectors. Leveraging on the partnership between public and private sector stakeholders under the win-win approach of the Reverse linkage, would enhance the countries’ sustainability and resilience.

Objectives of the Side Event

The side event will be an occasion to:

- Showcase the innovative approach of the IsDB in developing and promoting renewable energy through Regional Cooperation and Reverse Linkage.
- Showcase the role of affordable sustainable renewable energy interventions in developing country resilience and sustainability.
- Discuss and present the concept of the new IsDB program related to renewable energy through South-South Cooperation which is under formulation.

Issues to be Addressed

The issues to be addressed are as follows:

- Shed the light on the challenges and opportunities for developing resilient renewable energy infrastructure in sub-Saharan African countries.
- Highlight how resilient, sustainable and affordable clean energy will play a critical role in the economic recovery of Member Countries in the post-COVID-19 era.
- Emphasize on the role of the private sector to ensure resilient energy infrastructure and different models to partner with the public sector (BOOT, O&M, BOO etc.).

Expected Outcomes
- Member Countries sensitized on the role of comprehensive affordable renewable energy interventions for supporting countries’ resilience and sustainability.
- Member Countries made aware of an approach to fast-track resilient affordable renewable energy infrastructure development through South-South Cooperation, Regional Cooperation and Reverse Linkage.

Speakers

The speakers are as follows:

Mr. Abdoul Salam Bello, Alternate Executive Director of the Africa Group II at the World Bank Group Board of Directors
Mr. Ali Zerouali, Director of Cooperation and International Development, Masen
Dr. Jauad El Kharraz, Executive Director of the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE)
Mr. Khaled Sharbatly, Partner Group Chief Investments Officer, Desert-Technologies
Mr. Noureddine Mabrouk, Lead Global Energy Specialist, IsDB

The welcoming remarks will be delivered by H.E. Dr. Mansur Muhtar, Vice President, Operations, IsDB.

The Moderator will be Moncef Soudani, Senior Regional Coordinator, MENA & Europe, Reverse Linkage, Regional Cooperation and Integration Department, IsDB.

Style of the Side Event Room

Virtual IsDB pre-Annual Meeting Webinar.

Targeted Audience
- The target audience includes (i) Government Officials/Civil Servants, (ii) Private Sector Professionals, (iii) Corporate Executives, and (iv) Development Practitioners.
- The expected number of attendees would be in the range of 50-100 persons.

Counterpart Organization

Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE), based in Egypt.

Focal point: Fatouma Hanini

Planning and Business Development Specialist Email: fatouma.hanini@rcreee.org

Mob: +20 01 065 439 729

Event Business Owner

This event will be co-organized jointly by the Regional Cooperation and Integration Department (RCI), the Economic & Social Infrastructure Department (ESID) and Regional Hubs of the IsDB.

IsDB Focal Points and Organizing team

The focal points and organizing team:

- Moncef Soudani

Senior Regional Coordinator, Reverse Linkage (MENA & Europe), Regional Cooperation and Integration Department

Email: msoudani@isdb.org; Mob: +966 55 83 14 038

- Hussein Mogaibel

Lead Global Energy Specialist,

Economic & Social Infrastructure Department

Email: HMugaibel@isdb.org;. Mob: +966 50 36 64 394

- Noureddine Mabrouk

Operation Team Leader, Economic Infrastructure, Regional Hub of Dakar

Email: NMabrouk@isdb.org; Mob: +212 76 74 54 171 / +966 50 63 53 573

- Abderrahmane Medkouri Project Management Specialist, Regional Hub of Rabat

Email: medkouri@isdb.org ; Mob: + 212611737271

Program of the Webinar
- The duration of the online event will be about 70 minutes
- Date of the webinar: Sunday 22 May 2022 at 13:00 KSA Time (11:00 GMT Time)
- The program of the event will be as follows: