UAE confirmed to permanently host Irena

More than 150 member nations on Monday confirmed that the UAE will be the permanent home of International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena), said a press statement.

The first session of the General Assembly gathered 800 delegates from 150 nations and was attended by more than 90 ministers. Irena – the intergovernmental organisation dedicated to promoting the adoption of renewable energy worldwide – also selected Adnan Amin, the former Acting Interim Director General as the Director General of the Agency.

Adnan Amin is slated to hold the post for the next 4 years.

Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Special Envoy for Energy and Climate Change, CEO of Masdar, and President of the ongoing session, said: “Today’s first meeting of the Assembly is a momentous occasion for Irena, demonstrating the vision of our wise leadership as well as the strong global determination to work cooperatively to advance the use of renewable energy around the world. The UAE is honored to be the permanent home of Irena and will continue to be a strong advocate for further global collaboration and the deployment of renewable energy.

Irena’s first assembly officially marks the end of the organisation’s foundational stage, which has built a strong institutional framework since its 2009 inception to facilitate effective multilateral collaboration.

Irena represents both developed and developing nations dedicated to expanding renewable energy both domestically and abroad. To date, 148 countries, and the European Union have signed the Statute of the Agency. Moreover, 64 countries and the European Union which ratified the statute of Irena participated in the Assembly. Amongst Irena’s membership are 48 African, 38 European, 35 Asian, 17 American and 10 Australia/Oceania member states.

With the UAE confirmed as the home to Irena, the agency becomes the first truly international organisation based in an Arab country.

“The United Arab Emirates provides an environment that promotes the future growth of renewable energy and is a natural fit to be the long-term home to Irena,” said Irena Director General, Adnan Amin. “I am honoured to be entrusted by the esteemed member nations to lead Irena, and I look forward to working together as a dedicated, united voice to advocate for the acceleration and adoption of renewable energy.”

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