Side Event at 2026 ECOSOC Partnership Forum: Strengthening the Digital-Energy Nexus: Leveraging AI and Data for Transformative innovation in Sustainable Energy systems

WMO, UNDP and UNECE are partnering for this side event at the 2026 ECOSOC Partnership Forum to explore how digital technologies, data systems and AI can accelerate the just energy transition, enhance climate resilience and unlock innovative finance. The event will highlight transformative, equitable and coordinated approaches that leverage innovation to advance the 2030 Agenda. Focusing on Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia, it will examine how the energy–digital nexus can optimize legacy infrastructure and enable systemic change. AI-driven forecasting and data-based planning could reduce transmission congestion by 15–20%, improve grid integration of renewables by 25%, and cut operating costs by up to USD 10 billion annually through better demand–supply balancing and predictive maintenance. The session will explore the full energy-system value chain—from data generation and modelling to policy design, investment mobilization and project implementation—showing how digital innovation strengthens every stage. Engaging Permanent Missions and financial institutions, the dialogue will chart pathways for a just, inclusive and sustainable energy transformation aligned with SDGs 7, 9, 11 and 17.