The Ad Hoc Inter-Agency Task Force on Energy was established in February 1997 to facilitate coordination and cooperation among UN agencies, programmes and entities in energy and related areas. It drew upon work previously undertaken to coordinate activities among UN entities in the area of energy by the informal Inter-Agency Group on Energy, which it replaces.

The work of the Task Force initially focused on preparations for ninth session of the Commission for Sustainable Development (CSD-9) that was held in 2001, and included the elaboration of a common approach to the sustainable development energy agenda. It was agreed that the common approach should cover all types of energy and should address all aspects of the contemporary energy debate, including its economic, social and environmental dimensions. This approach became the basis for the United Nations work in the area of energy including CSD-9 preparations. In addition, the Task Force contributed to the Case Studies on Energy and Sustainable Development, held a side event on UN activities in energy, produced a matrix of activities to facilitate coordination of activities and cooperated, and continues to cooperate, on specific projects and partnerships such as the World Solar Programme.

The agencies, programmes and entities of the United Nations continue to work together under the auspices of the Ad Hoc Inter-Agency Task Force on Energy in preparations for the World Summit on Sustainable Development to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, 26 August - 4 September 2002. The Task Force's recent contributions have included participation in the "Multi-stakeholder's Roundtable on Energy and Sustainable Development: New Partnerships for Concrete Actions" and the organization of a Prepcom3 side-event focusing on partnerships for rural energy as well as the involvement of many Task Force members in the preparation of "A Guide for Potential Partnerships on Energy for Sustainable Development." Members continue to cooperate on energy projects and partnerships with the goal of promoting sustainable development.

The Task Force is chaired by JoAnne DiSano, Director of the Division for Sustainable Development, DESA. It is serviced by the Division through the Energy and Transport Branch. Membership is open to UN entities most involved in the energy and related issues.

The Task Force meets periodically as needed and reports on their sessions are available below: