More than 120 ministers and representatives from 160 countries, and heads of state and governments have arrived in Abu Dhabi, UAE, for the ninth Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena), which commences today and runs till January 13, said a report.

The three-day event will see participants engage in high-level discussions to accelerate renewable energy deployment in support of the sustainable development goals and global climate objectives, said a report in WAM.

The assembly is taking place against a backdrop of falling cost of renewable energy, a growing recognition of its socio-economic benefits and calls for greater action to avoid the worst effects of climate change, it said.

According to Irena analysis, renewable energy deployment must accelerate by a factor of six to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

This year, the assembly will be presided over by Li Fanrong, vice president of China’s National Energy Administration.

The assembly will feature several key discussions on critical issues related to the advancement of renewable energy. Also, a number of the assembly's plenary discussions will provide opportunities for contributions from Irena Member delegations, stakeholder groups and the private sector. Plenaries will focus on aspects of the Agency’s work and actions by countries in the development and deployment of renewables, including topics such as the socio-economic benefits of energy transition and the changing role of hydropower in the energy sector transformation.

The Assembly will also consider the conclusions of the 16th Irena Council and will provide guidance on specific administrative and institutional matters, the report said.