UAE gathering charts world renewable energy future

As many as 300 high-level government representatives from 96 countries gathered here Tuesday to attend the 11th meeting of the Council of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in order to find ways to double the share of renewable energy worldwide by 2030.

The council elected Kenred Dorsett, minister of the environment and housing of the Bahamas, as chair of the meeting, and Ethiopia as vice-chair, said IRENA in a statement.

"IRENA as a global organisation has made tremendous contributions to the advancement of renewable energy, notwithstanding its relatively short history," Dorsett said.

"The Bahamas has relied heavily on IRENA to chart its renewable energy future. We look forward to the deliberations over the next few days as countries come together to guide the work of the Agency, and are humbled to be elected chair for this important meeting," he added.

Attendees will discuss cost reductions in solar and wind technologies, regional work to increase renewable energy deployment in Latin America and West Africa, and IRENA's roadmap to doubling the global share of renewables by 2030.

They will also discuss initiatives to increase renewable energy on islands and the strategic future direction of the Agency's work.

IRENA's Director-General Adnan Z. Amin presented a progress report on the agency's work.

"A lot has happened since IRENA's establishment five years ago," Amin said.

"We are implementing our new work program with determination and confidence that the current biennium holds great promise for accelerating the global uptake of renewable energy. We are proud of our achievements to date and energised by the unwavering support of our members."

IRENA said it will launch Wednesday the third edition of Renewable Energy and Jobs Annual Review. This publication provides the only global analysis of jobs in the renewable energy sector, presenting the status of renewable energy employment, both by technology and in selected countries, over the past year.

Composed of 21 IRENA members, the council meets twice annually to facilitate cooperation among the members, oversee implementation of the IRENA work program and complete substantive preparations for the agency's annual Assembly.

IRENA, a United Nations affiliate, is mandated to be the global hub for renewable energy cooperation and information exchange by 148 members (147 states and the European Union).

Roughly 28 additional countries are in the accession process and actively engaged. IRENA promotes the widespread adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy.

Israel as an IRENA member state participates and runs an office in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, where the IRENA headquarters are located, although the UAE and Israel have no diplomatic relations. Endit