The UAE and IRENA lead the dialogue on energy transition and gender balance

Today, the UAE, in cooperation with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), hosted a dialogue session dedicated to the “Women in Diplomacy” and “Renewable Energy Talk” initiatives, on the occasion of International Clean Energy Day, which falls on January 26 every year.

This year’s event coincided with the 16th anniversary of IRENA’s founding, emphasizing the importance of the global commitment to providing universal access to clean energy and achieving the climate goals pledged during the historic “UAE Agreement” at the conclusion of the Conference of the Parties (COP28).

The session, hosted by the Sustainability and Innovation Center of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, discussed the role of cooperation between the UAE and IRENA in enhancing gender balance in energy diplomacy and leading its issues while supporting comprehensive dialogue in making the global transition in the field of energy a success.

The event hosted permanent representatives of countries around the world to IRENA, diplomats, and leaders of energy sectors from various countries to enhance the desired impact, develop these programs and initiatives, exchange experiences, consolidate best practices, and update the road map towards the future.

The participants touched on the main topics and structures for future sessions, and discussed ways to increase momentum for gender balance and energy transition dialogues before the Conference of the Parties “COP30” at the end of this year in Belem, Brazil.

In this regard, Her Excellency Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, affirmed the UAE’s commitment to a just and comprehensive transition to clean energy, pointing out that today’s sessions reinforce the importance of inclusion and gender balance in advancing sustainable development.

She expressed her confidence that empowering women and ensuring their participation will unleash the full potential of the global energy sector, noting the importance of hosting this important dialogue and working with IRENA and other countries to accelerate the global transition towards clean energy.

For her part, His Excellency Dr. Nawal Al Hosani, Permanent Representative of the State to the International Renewable Energy Agency, stressed that the UAE’s permanent partnership with IRENA reflects the shared commitment to promoting vital and effective dialogues that drive real transformation.

She pointed to the keenness to expand attendance and make room for diverse viewpoints and innovative solutions to address the most pressing challenges in the field of climate and energy globally, by supporting gender balance and empowering leaders in the field of energy.

In turn, Francesco La Camera, Director General of IRENA, praised the UAE’s established partnership in accelerating the global transformation in the field of energy, pointing out that this day is a reminder of the enormous potential of renewable energy in addressing the challenges of climate change, promoting sustainable development, and reducing pollution. Shaping a clean energy future for all.

He said that the global distribution of renewable energy remains highly uneven, with it increasingly falling in the Global South, stressing that urgent global action is needed to address the structural and regulatory barriers that impede progress, such as gaps in critical infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and technical capacity, The need to significantly increase investment.

The session concluded with a field tour of the Sustainability and Innovation Center of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, during which the delegates and country representatives were briefed on the latest technologies in the field of renewable energy and energy efficiency at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest renewable energy generation project in the world in one location according to the product system. The Independent.