Abu Dhabi: The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has convened members in Abu Dhabi for its twenty-fifth Council meeting to outline actionable steps to accelerate a just and inclusive energy transition, six months out from the 28th Climate Change Conference (COP28), which is hosted in the UAE this year.
IRENA’s biannual, two-day meeting, with Antigua and Barbuda serving as Chair and the United States of America as Vice Chair, showcases how each member is working to increase global renewable energy capacity in the aftermath of ongoing energy and geo-political crises.
IRENA Director-General, Mr. Francesco La Camera, shared that “collaboration across the international community has never been more important. The twenty-fifth IRENA Council meeting offers a welcome opportunity for the agency to assess how we are progressing and identify the actions needed to ensure we remain agile and responsive to the needs of our members.”
Deputy Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations and IRENA Council Chair, Mr. Tumasie Blair, commented that “global events in recent times have worsened the challenges faced by many nations, including small island developing states like Antigua and Barbuda. As we quickly approach COP28, IRENA governing body meetings like this Council present us with an opportunity to assess and realign our course of action to ensure that we remain agile in the face of the monumental climate challenge ahead.”
The 2023 Council meeting delves into the pressing issues at the top of the climate and sustainable development agenda, including the need to increase the deployment of renewable energy capacity, mobilise energy transition finance, and enhance mitigation and adaptation efforts.
The twenty-fifth Council meeting also examines the global status of geothermal energy, critical materials, and the preliminary findings of IRENA’s Preview of the World Energy Transitions Outlook 2023. It shows that the scale and extent of the change achieved in all sectors to date fall far short of what is required to stay on the 1.5°C pathway.