IRENA's 15th Assembly Kicks Off In Abu Dhabi To Accelerate Renewable Energy Transition

The 15th session of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly started Sunday in Abu Dhabi, marking the first global energy meeting of the year.

The two-day event, themed "Accelerating the Renewable Energy Transition – The Way Forward," will bring together ministers, high-level delegates from 170 IRENA member countries, experts from academia, development banks, CEOs and youth.

The goal is to promote greater collaboration across sectors to support the energy transition.

Key discussions at the assembly will focus on increasing renewable energy capacity threefold by 2030, improving national climate action plans, supporting energy transitions in developing countries, and exploring new financial solutions for emerging economies, WAM reported.

IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera explained that the world is changing rapidly due to shifts in geopolitics and advances in technology like artificial intelligence.

He stressed that renewable energy should remain a top global priority to meet climate and sustainable development goals. La Camera said the 15th IRENA Assembly is an important platform to guide the energy transition, explore new opportunities, and set priorities for the future.

Slovenia's Minister of the Environment, Climate and Energy Bojan Kumer said, "No country, regardless of its size, can achieve this transition alone. The energy transition is a shared responsibility, requiring unity and collective action."

Kumer emphasized the importance of collaboration to address shared challenges in creating an inclusive and competitive energy future while boosting climate goals.

As the President of the 15th IRENA Assembly, Slovenia is committed to promoting dialogue and partnerships that unlock the potential of renewable energy, making it central to global decarbonization efforts.

The UAE, which has hosted IRENA for 15 years, highlighted its role in providing a platform for important discussions and collaborations to speed up the energy transition.

UAE's Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Dr. Amna Al Dahak, said the country is leading by investing in renewable energy innovations, improving grid technologies, and working on solutions to tackle the climate crisis.

The 15th IRENA Assembly is seen as a chance to show the power of international cooperation in shaping a sustainable future, with the UAE continuing to support global energy security and sustainability.

To build political support and encourage global cooperation, several ministerial and high-level meetings were held on Jan. 11 before the main IRENA Assembly. These meetings allowed decision-makers to interact and shape the agency's future work.