Members of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) stressed that for the world to adopt clean energy, the intergovernmental governmental agency must focus on actionable results, rather than high-level discussions. Open dialogue between the members of IRENA will encourage further multilateral cooperation and play an integral role in the development of sustainable energy systems, uniting both developed and industrialized nations.
During the historic first session of IRENA, member nations officially confirmed the UAE as the permanent home to the global organization and selected Adnan Amin, as the director general of the Agency.

Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE special envoy for Energy and Climate Change, CEO of Masdar, and President of the ongoing session, said: “IRENA was created to accelerate the global adoption of renewable energy. For the Agency to live up to its promise, it must focus on delivering real, measurable results that address the critical issues we seek to address. From climate change to energy security, our members are dedicated to meaningful collaboration and economic solutions to shift the energymix to include renewableresources.
“For IRENA to have a long-term impact, we must steer away from bureaucratic dialogue and utilize this platform for an open policy discussion that will ensure the Agency remains an efficient, lean organization that heeds real results,” added Dr. Al Jaber. On the second day, the General Assembly gathered  800 delegates from 150 nations – all of which share the Agency’s mission to promote the acceleration and adoption of renewable energy worldwide.

The ministers’ session, moderated by Her Excellency Maud Olofsson, Swedish Minister for Enterprise and Energy and His Excellency Jose Rene D. Almendras, Philippine Secretary of Energy, included discussions on how IRENA’s role can have a significant impact in the upcoming Rio +20 meetings and the COP 17 negotiations in Durban.

In addition, Ministers also examined the importance of engagement between the public and private sectors and  the best ways in which IRENA can assist member states in the sharing of policy best practices, capacity building and facilitating multistakeholder interaction. Attending the meeting were ministers from Brunei, Chile, England, Germany, Korean, Nigeria, South Africa, and other nations.