Pacific Islands Development Forum admitted to International Renewable Energy Agency

The Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF), with its secretariat based in Suva, has been admitted as an observer organization with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the Fijian government said Wednesday.

At the fifth session of the IRENA's assembly held earlier this month in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, the assembly voted to grant observer status to the PIDF, according to Fiji's Department of Information.

Feleti Teo, secretary general of the PIDF, has welcomed the admittance.

"Pacific islands are endowed with a rich variety of renewable energy resources, providing a viable and attractive alternative to fossil fuel imports. In January 2012, IRENA hosted a Pacific leaders forum from 11 Pacific island countries and territories in Abu Dhabi. Since then IRENA has worked closely with the Pacific to identify gaps and produce innovative, practical and island- specific solutions," Teo said.

"Pacific leaders at the PIDF Inaugural Meeting in 2013 identified greater use of renewable energy sources as one of the priorities of the PIDF. Our admittance as an observer with IRENA has provided an additional avenue whereby we can assist the Pacific with its quest for greater use of renewable energy and increased energy efficiency," he added.

The IRENA is an intergovernmental organization that supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future, and serves as the principal platform for international cooperation, a center of excellence and a repository of policy, technology, resource and financial knowledge on renewable energy. Endi