On September 8–9, during the 2025 Global Energy Interconnection (GEI) Conference, Mr. Xin Baoan, Chairman of the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO) and President of the China Electricity Council (CEC), held talks with several senior delegates attending the conference. They included Ms. Rola Dashti, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UNESCWA); Mr. Kozhoshev Arzybek, Minister for Energy and Infrastructure of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU); and Mr. Zou Ciyong, Deputy to the Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
Mr. Xin extended a warm welcome to the delegates and thanked them for traveling from afar to attend the conference. He noted that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the GEI Initiative, and this GEI conference is a major event to commemorate this milestone. Over the past decade, with strong support from all parties, GEIDCO has vigorously advanced GEI development, carrying out extensive work in international cooperation, think tank building, project implementation, international standards, and capacity-building training. GEI has progressed from initiative to action, from vision to reality, and GEIDCO has become an influential international organization in the energy sector.
He emphasized that UNESCWA, UNIDO, and the EAEU are important partners of GEIDCO. The parties have signed cooperation agreements and carried out broad collaboration in joint events, training, and technical exchanges. Looking ahead, he expressed hope to further deepen cooperation with related parties, particularly in West Asia and Central Asia, to jointly promote clean energy development and power grid interconnection projects.
The delegates thanked GEIDCO for the invitation to the 2025 GEI Conference and congratulated GEIDCO on its achievements over the past decade and on the successful convening of this year’s event.
Ms. Dashti said GEIDCO has demonstrated strong professional competence and international influence. UNESCWA attaches great importance to cooperation with GEIDCO. Together, they have organized numerous technical training activities, helping West Asian countries cultivate a large number of energy and power professionals. Looking ahead, she expressed hope to strengthen cooperation on clean energy projects to support the region’s energy transition.
Mr. Kozhoshev said GEIDCO is an important partner of the EAEU, with bilateral relations deepening steadily. At present, power interconnection among Central Asian countries remains limited. He expressed hope for closer cooperation with GEIDCO to promote grid interconnection in Central Asia by holding meetings, building platforms, and facilitating exchanges, thereby advancing energy cooperation between China and Central Asian countries.
Mr. Zou Ciyong said he was pleased to co-host this year’s conference. The GEI Initiative is highly aligned with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and has received strong support from Secretary-General António Guterres and relevant UN agencies. Moving forward, he looked forward to strengthening cooperation with GEIDCO in areas such as planning and research, conferences, and project implementation to deliver more outcomes.
Also present at these meetings were Mr. Oleg Budargin, Vice Chairman of GEIDCO; Mr. Wu Xuan, Secretary-General of GEIDCO; Mr. Li Baosen, Deputy Secretary-General of GEIDCO; and the head of the Cooperation Department.