Abu Dhabi selected as next Irec host

The UAE and Abu Dhabi were on Saturday announced as the next host for the International Renewable Energy Conference (Irec), a premier international forum bringing together government, civil society and business leaders to facilitate the widespread global adoption of renewable energy technology.

Publicly announced at the closing ceremony of the Delhi International Renewable Energy Conference (Direc), Abu Dhabi was chosen for the global platform, due to its investments, initiatives and dedication toward the development and deployment of renewable and clean energy technologies.

The emirate is also the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena), the international governmental organisation mandated to facilitate widespread renewable energy development and expansion.

The Abu Dhabi International Renewable Energy Conference (Adirec) will be held simultaneously and co-located with the World Future Energy Summit, the annual event in Abu Dhabi that gathers more than 25,000 renewable energy and environment representatives from around the world to address and advance sustainable energy solutions.

"Abu Dhabi's selection as the host of the next Irec is a testament to the significant strides being taken by our leadership to pursue clean energy solutions and address the challenges of climate change," said Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Masdar CEO and Special Envoy for Energy and Climate Change of the UAE.

"It affirms Abu Dhabi's emerging global leadership as a catalyst of renewable energy focused on R&D, innovation, deployment and strategic partnerships.

"The Adirec conference will be an exemplary demonstration of how collaboration and greater international dialogue can generate vital momentum in addressing the energy challenges of tomorrow - creating a pathway for environmental and economical sustainable development, and a strong response to climate change," added Dr Al Jaber.

Ministers and government representatives from around 71 countries participated in the Direc. The concluding declaration reaffirmed "the importance of investment in research, development and deployment (RD&D) and of international cooperation in RD&D for more cost-effective and advanced energy technologies".

The high level declaration underlines the significance of Abu Dhabi and Masdar's commitment to supporting the development of renewable energy and becoming a key contributor to the sector's progress.

Adirec will be the fifth in the series of the ministerial level Irec conferences that carry on the mission of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, which is to bolster, coordinate and accelerate political momentum to foster renewable energy growth. Building on the success of Direc 2010 - and the previous events in Washington in 2008, Beijing in 2005 and Bonn in 2004 - Adirec will attract prominent ministers, policy specialists and industry thought leaders from around the globe.

"Abu Dhabi's strong commitment to accelerating the global scale up of renewable energy makes it an ideal host," said Dr Mohamed El Ashry, Chair of REN21, organisers of Irec. "They are developing an unprecedented low-carbon city, have set the Arab world's first national renewable energy target and are investing in renewable energy, both within Abu Dhabi and around the world."

Adirec's coordination with the World Future Energy Summit will ensure an even greater gathering in Abu Dhabi of key energy and environment stakeholders from around the world to collaborate and discuss solutions in the politics, finance, technology and education of renewable energy.

"We are tremendously pleased with the selection of Abu Dhabi to host the IREC conference, as it will greatly contribute to the mission and successes of the World Future Energy Summit," said Frederic Theux, President, Reed Exhibitions Middle East.

"Together, the two events will act as an unparalleled global platform for dialogue and collaboration toward solutions for a secure and sustainable energy future."

Masdar - the multi-faceted initiative combining education, R&D, financing and implementation - headlines Abu Dhabi's dedication to renewable energy growth, while initiatives such as the Zayed Future Energy Prize - a global competition convening sustainable innovators - underscore the Emirate's long-term vision to solutions to climate change, energy security and environmental stability.

Recognised as a global center for renewable energy partnership, Abu Dhabi will also host the second high-level policy-focused Clean Energy Ministerial in April 2011, as well as the next Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) plenary session in May 2011.

Providing the closing ceremony speech at Direc on Saturday, Dr Al Jaber said: "The renewable energy and clean technology solutions the world needs today will be discovered across borders and built between nations. They will be stimulated by the cooperation and partnerships built through Adirec in January 2013."

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