The International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) convenes its 30th Council meeting October 30 in Abu Dhabi to review progress on the Agency’s work and consider collective priorities to accelerate the global energy transition, as preparations advance for COP30 and the 16th Irena Assembly.
The two-day meeting will focus on the
delivery of global goals set out under the UAE Consensus, including efforts
towards tripling renewable power capacity and doubling energy efficiency
improvements by 2030.
It follows the launch of Irena’s latest
tracking report at the Pre-COP in Brazil, which confirmed that despite the rise
in renewable energy deployment, progress remains short of what is needed to
stay on course to reach the global goals.
“We have never been closer to closing the
gap. While the 582 gigawatts of renewable additions in 2024 still fall short of
what is needed to meet the tripling goal, they mark a new global deployment
record for a third consecutive year, narrowing the gap,” said Irena
Director-General Francesco La Camera. “However, governments must show
leadership and make COP30 in Brazil a milestone for renewables. With new NDCs
due ahead of COP30, this 30th Irena Council is an important moment to
underscore the need for greater collective ambition.”
In his capacity as 30th Irena Council
Chair, Francisco Hernández, Permanent
Representative to Irena and Ambassador of Costa Rica to the UAE said: “The
Council meets at a moment of renewed opportunity ahead of COP30. Our experience
in Costa Rica shows that an energy system driven by renewables can coexist with
social progress, economic resilience, and environmental stewardship. But the
scale of today’s challenge demands that we work collectively, bridging regions,
sharing knowledge, and accelerating action.”
Programmatic discussions will address the
role of clean industrialisation in promoting sustainable development, including
through enhanced resilience in critical materials and renewable energy supply
chains.
The Council will also receive updates on
the Agency’s work on promoting regional cooperation.
Members will exchange national experiences,
explore options to strengthen international cooperation and consider avenues to
expand access to investment needed to scale up renewable energy deployment.
Outcomes will inform the Sixteenth Irena Assembly,
where Ministers and high-level representatives will convene in Abu Dhabi on
11–12 January 2026.
As the first ministerial energy meeting of the year, the Assembly will take stock of global progress and guide the energy transition priorities for the year ahead. -OGN/TradeArabia News Service
