On 29 January 2013 FMO, SNV and Philips jointly organised an expert event titled Empowering Progress. The meeting was organised as first action after the ‘2012 International Year for Sustainable Energy’. The aim of the meeting was to present and promote cooperation between Dutch parties in order to increase investments and find solutions to create access to (sustainable) energy for the 1,4 bln people who are deprived from access to energy now.
More than 100 persons from the Dutch (renewable) energy sector, business leaders, manufacturers, financers, engineers, scientists, policy makers, regulators, consultants, academics and knowledge brokers gathered at the Caballero Factory in The Hague to meet and discuss ideas and possible partnerships.
FMO’s CIO Jurgen Rigterink gave a warm welcome to all persons present. Speakers at the event included Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, chairman of UN-Energy, director general of UNIDO and CEO of the Sustainable Energy for All initiative, Christiaan Rebergen, Deputy DG International Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Dan Dorner, Senior Energy Analyst, International Energy Agency (IEA).
After the plenary sessions two Roundtable discussions followed, where projects,innovations and solotions to problems encountered were presented and discussed. On behalf of FMO, Bernhard van Meeteren presented the Kivuwatt project and Aart Mulder elaborated on Biodigester programme which FMO executed together with SNV. Well-known Dutch sustainable entrepreneur Maurits Groen operated as a side kick for the excellent moderator Rens de Jong (BNR Newsradio).
Lively presentations and lots of interaction with the audience contributed to an inspiring and successful event. The event showed a lot of innovative ideas, projects and products and showcased the need for intensifying efforts and cooperation to make sure that all people on the planet get access to (sustainable) energy. The organisers will continue to work together to build on the momentum created by this event.
For more information look at http://empower.fmo.nl/home
