The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is prepared for record participation at its ninth annual assembly meeting, which is being held in the United Arab Emirates.
Heads of state and governments, 125 ministers and representatives from 160 countries, totalling 1200 participants, will gather in Abu Dhabi this week to engage discussions to accelerate renewable energy deployment in support of the sustainable development goals and global climate objectives.
The ninth IRENA Assembly, which has drawn the largest number of participants in its history, will bring together high-level representatives from international organisations, private sector, and civil society.
The Assembly is taking place against a backdrop of falling cost of renewable energy, a growing recognition of its socio-economic benefits and calls for greater action to avoid the worst effects of climate change, according to IRENA.
In October, the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) report highlighted that the world has just 12 years left to take decisive action on climate mitigation and called for a rapid and far-reaching energy transformation based on renewables.
According to IRENA analysis, renewable energy deployment must accelerate by a factor of six to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.
This year, the Assembly will be presided over by Li Fanrong, China’s National Energy Administration Vice President.
IRENA director-general Adnan Amin said: “Renewable energy presents a tremendous economic and social opportunity to industrialised and developing economies alike.
“IRENA’s almost-universal membership is an indication that renewable energy is truly a global undertaking and a key policy priority for countries all over the world. Their ability to navigate this transition is strengthened through engagement with the agency.
“By bringing together policymakers from the whole world, the IRENA Assembly provides a truly unique platform for strengthening international cooperation on energy transformation.”
Fanrong said: “It is an honour to be President of IRENA’s ninth Assembly.
“China has made renewable energy a clear strategic priority to serve both our economic and environmental goals but also to strengthen China’s contribution to key global objectives. This pursuit has been greatly supported by the international cooperation fostered by IRENA.
“The Assembly has come to represent an important opportunity to bring the global community together.”
He added: “Our deliberations over the next few days will no doubt offer every country the insight and guidance necessary to stimulate further growth in the deployment of renewable energy as well all work to meet these pressing global objectives.”
The Assembly will also decide on the selection of a new Director-General.