The Vienna Energy Forum (VEF) is a biennial, global and multi-stakeholder forum with a mandate of exploring 21st century developmental challenges from the perspective of sustainable energy and providing a platform for debate on practical solutions to these challenges. The first three Forums, in 2009, 2011 and 2013, focused on different perspectives of this discussion and have been major contributors to the design of the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) goals and to Vienna’s becoming a Global Energy Hub. Given that the complex issues connected to sustainable energy need to be addressed in a holistic manner, the VEF brings together all sectors of society and participants from all over the world, thereby paving the way for tangible partnerships on the ground.