Sustainable Energy was one of the topics of the 9th Special Session of the Governing Council / Global Ministerial Environment Forum of the United Nations Environmental Programme (GCSS/GMEF of UNEP) in February 2006, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The summary of the UNEP energy programme, provided by Executive Director Klaus Töpfer underlines UNEP's growing involvement in renewable energy and also gives an overview of the present status of and future prospects for renewable energy, based on the REN21 Global Renewable Energy Status Report.

Climate change mitigation, but also energy for development and energy security were highlighted as the most important challenges on the energy agenda. Besides renewables - among which bio energy received most attention - energy efficiency but also other clean energy technologies were considered important options.

International processes and events such as WSSD, CSD, Bonn renewables 2004 Conference, as well as international initiatives and partnerships were commended as useful. Capacity-building, technology transfer and market mechanisms that engage the private sector were considered instrumental in assisting and supporting developing countries in addressing climate change. Positions were divided on how vigorously new technologies should be implemented also in developing countries.