ECOWAS commits to complete phase-out of inefficient incandescent lamps at the High Level Forum for Sustainable Energy in Accra, Ghana. Accra, 29 October 2012 - At the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) High Level Forum “Towards Sustainable Energy for All in West Africa: Paving the Way through Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency,” the ECOWAS Energy Efficiency Policy and its corresponding Action Plan was adopted by national and regional officers and delegates in charge of energy efficiency and environment al programs from ECOWAS ministries and agencies. This includes energy efficiency initiatives on lighting, standards and labelling, electricity distribution and efficient cooking.

Regional Report for Sub-Saharan Africa

The Transition to Efficient Lighting in Southeast Asia Singapore, 4 November 2011 -On 4 November 2011, government representatives from 14 countries from Southeast Asia voiced their support for the global transition to energy efficient lighting. Participants at the UNEP/GEF en.lighten regional workshop agreed that the phase-out of incandescent lamps is one of the easiest ways to reduce CO2 emissions and achieve significant energy and financial savings.

Government Officials in the Middle East Join the UNEP/GEF en.lighten Partnership to Phase-out Inefficient Lighting Beirut, 28 September 2011 -Government representatives from 16 countries met in Beirut, Lebanon for the en.lighten regional workshop which was held in collaboration with the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) and in conjunction with the Beirut Energy Forum.

Inaugural Regional Workshop in Latin America and the Caribbean leads to “Santo Domingo Declaration”Santo Domingo, 4 August 2011 - Government representatives from 26 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean voiced their support for the phasing out of incandescent light bulbs. Such a move could save the region an estimated US$4 billion a year in energy costs.

Joint Meeting of the Policy and Sustainability Taskforces Paris, July 2011 - The Joint meeting of Policy and Sustainability Taskforces took place in Paris, France in July to review important aspects of the direction of the en.lighten program and to finalize key tools to aid countries in their transition to energy efficient lighting.

Second annual meeting of Project Steering Committee Washington, D.C. April 2011 - The second Project Steering Committee meeting was recently held in Washington, D.C. at the offices of the Global Environment Facility.

en.lighten side event on UNFCCC-COP 16, Cancun, Mexico Cancun, 1 December 2010 -The UNEP/GEF en.lighten side event was held in Cancun, Mexico on 1 December 2010, as part of the UNFCCC COP16/CMP6