Abu Dhabi brings together 1,500 international officials to shape the future of energy in the General Assembly of "Irina"

ABU DHABI, 10 JANUARY / WAM / The capital, Abu Dhabi, will host the sixteenth session of the General Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) on January 11 and 12, making it the first international meeting in the energy sector for this year.

About 1,500 participants, including ministers and high-level officials from 171 member states of the International Renewable Energy Agency, and an elite group of CEOs, investors, international organizations, and young people, are participating in the event, which is being held under the slogan “Providing humanity with energy…renewable energy for shared prosperity,” with the aim of setting a common agenda and determining priorities for international cooperation for a better energy future that the international community can take action toward in 2026.

The main discussions of the session focus on regional energy transitions, and critical enablers such as electricity grids, energy planning, digital innovation, artificial intelligence, and financing mobilization; Including sustainable aviation fuels, as well as examining how renewable energy can contribute to enhancing agri-food systems and green manufacturing.

In this context, Francesco La Camera, Director General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), said: It is time to launch a global campaign and a positive vision for the energy transition, noting that the world is witnessing rapid changes, as geopolitical changes and the worsening effects of climate change threaten the ability of countries to withstand energy.

He added: Although renewable energy achieves record numbers year after year, progress is still geographically uneven, depriving many countries of the benefits that renewable energy brings. For this reason, the General Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) will place realistic solutions and new approaches at the forefront of its concerns, to unleash the full potential of the energy transition as a driver of comprehensive development and structural transformation and enhance long-term resilience in both developing and developed countries.

For his part, Bojan Comer, President of the fifteenth session of the General Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Minister of Environment, Climate and Energy of Slovenia, said: In light of the current uncertainty, IRENA stands as a clear and reliable voice for global cooperation in the field of renewable energy technologies, stressing that the International Renewable Energy Agency represents the cornerstone of the energy transition, as it promotes sustainable growth and long-term economic prosperity around the world.

Comer stressed the agency’s success in overcoming the challenges of last year, expressing its readiness to continue its mission, and his wishes of success for the sixteenth session.

Representing the incoming presidency of the sixteenth session, Betty Soto, Deputy Minister of Innovation and Energy Transition of the Dominican Republic, stressed that the energy transition for small island developing States is closely linked to resilience, justice and the right to a secure future. She said: The Dominican Republic has demonstrated that rapid progress is possible when national resolve is coupled with strong international cooperation, as demonstrated by initiatives such as the “Sargassum to Energy” project.

Sotto emphasized the commitment during the presidency of the sixteenth session of the General Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to strengthen the comprehensiveness of the institution, and to advance renewable energy as a force that empowers humanity, protects the most vulnerable groups, and accelerates the pace of just and sustainable global transformation.

The General Assembly, as the supreme decision-making body of the International Renewable Energy Agency, is a strategic global platform for comprehensive and diverse discussions on all aspects of the energy transition; On the occasion of the sixth World Energy Transition Day, the session will begin its work tomorrow with a high-level dialogue entitled “Reimagining the future of energy… bold visions for achieving shared prosperity.”

In anticipation of the Assembly, Abu Dhabi is witnessing today, January 10, a series of ministerial meetings and high-level events to facilitate interaction between decision-makers and guide the future work of the agency, given the urgent need for political momentum.

The sixteenth session of the IRENA General Assembly coincides with the launch of the activities of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) for the year 2026, from January 11 to 15 in Abu Dhabi, with the participation of heads of state, ministers, high-level delegations and experts, with the aim of advancing global efforts towards a more sustainable future.

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