Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 23 May 2023 – The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) held its twenty-fifth Council meeting in Abu Dhabi, with the aim of accelerating the global energy transition in a fair and inclusive way. The meeting took place six months before the 28th Conference on Climate Change (COP28), which will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this year.
During the two-day meeting, IRENA members, with Antigua and Barbuda as Chair and the United States of America as Vice Chair, outlined actionable measures to increase global renewable energy capacity. These actions are a response to the ongoing energy and geopolitical crises.
IRENA Director General Francesco La Camera highlighted the importance of international collaboration and emphasized that the Council meeting provided an opportunity to assess progress and identify actions needed to address members' needs in an agile and responsive manner.
Deputy Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations and Chair of the Board of IRENA, Mr. Tumasie Blair, highlighted the challenges faced by many nations, especially small island developing states, in the face of recent global events. He emphasized the importance of realigning the course of action to address the monumental climate challenge.
This year's IRENA Council meeting addressed pressing issues related to climate change and sustainable development. This included increasing the deployment of renewable energy capacity, mobilizing finance for the energy transition, and strengthening mitigation and adaptation efforts.
This IRENA Board meeting is expected to yield insights and ideas that will drive the global energy transition forward and mark a significant turning point, especially given that the UAE will host COP28.
The event produced the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) report that analyzes the perspectives and trends of energy transitions at a global level. It covers a variety of energy-related topics, including the growth of renewable energy, energy policy, clean technologies, the transition to a more sustainable energy system, and the role of renewable energy in mitigating climate change.
The IRENA report offers a comprehensive analysis of recent developments and future prospects in the energy sector, with a focus on renewable energies. It can also provide recommendations and insights into policies and actions needed to accelerate the global energy transition.
