New York – September 20, 2026 -- More than 100 CEOs, heads of state and UN leaders concluded the 2026 UN Private Sector Forum in New York calling for faster public-private cooperation to unlock clean-energy investment, citing grid bottlenecks, regulatory uncertainty and financing gaps as the main barriers to deployment at scale.
UN Secretary-General urges companies to deploy capital and purchasing power
Hosted by the UN Global Compact on behalf of Secretary-General António Guterres, the invitation-only session pressed business leaders to close the gap between existing climate commitments and the pace of change needed to keep the 1.5°C target within reach. Guterres told participants that companies possess the capital, technology, supply chains and consumer base to "supercharge the renewables revolution" through direct investment in clean power and energy efficiency, and by using purchasing power to build markets for clean technologies.
Grid infrastructure identified as critical constraint on next transition phase
Participants flagged transmission, distribution and storage capacity as a limiting factor, warning that rapid growth in renewable generation and electrification cannot proceed without matching investment in infrastructure connecting new capacity to businesses and consumers. Financing mechanisms discussed included blended finance, public investment and risk-sharing structures designed to mobilize private capital in markets where investment risk is perceived as high.
UN Global Compact CEO says capital alone cannot deliver the transition
Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact, said companies are increasingly ready to invest but that ambition and capital are insufficient without supporting grids, policy frameworks and financing structures. She said the goal is to move investment "from the balance sheet into the real economy" by aligning governments and business around building affordable, resilient energy systems.
Policy predictability named as prerequisite for major capital allocation decisions
Leaders emphasized that governments can unlock further private investment through stable regulatory frameworks, faster permitting and long-term policy visibility. The Forum also addressed energy security, noting that geopolitical uncertainty and supply-chain disruption have raised the strategic value of diversified, secure energy systems.
Emerging markets access gap flagged as growth constraint
Discussions examined how public and private capital could jointly expand energy access in underserved regions, where limited reliable power remains a fundamental barrier to economic growth, job creation and system resilience. Organizers described the session as part of a broader business response to the Secretary-General's call for accelerated action on the clean energy transition.