The Global Renewable Energy Forum was held at the Bourbon Cataratas Hotel, in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, from 18-21 May 2008. The Forum, which was jointly organised by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Brazilian Ministry of Mines and Energy, Eletrobras and Itaipu Binacional, brought together over 1,400 participants and 80 accredited media from more than 50 countries, including high-level representatives and experts in energy and industry from Latin American, African and other countries, as well as representatives from UN agencies, bilateral organisations, the private sector, academia and regional and international non-governmental organisations.
The overall objective of the Forum was to create a suitable environment to promote dialogue on strengthening inter-regional bonds and to set up joint actions between countries and regions that aim to reduce poverty and enhance energy security through the use of renewable energy sources. The Forum also aimed to foster business and commercial relationships at the intra- and inter-regional level, and promote the development of renewable energy sources and related infrastructure in Latin America and in the Caribbean.
The four-day Forum consisted of three plenary sessions, two debates and seven roundtables, as well as site visits to the Itaipu Hydropower station, a local sewage treatment station and a technology park. During the Forum, UNIDO and some participating countries and institutions developed bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding.
This report provides background information on renewable energy meetings under UNIDO and other processes, and summarizes the discussions and outcomes of the Forum.
