IRIE Ministerial
The Renewable Island Energy (IRIE) Ministerial Meeting sought to catalyse new partnerships and action around renewable energy and energy efficiency in small island developing states (SIDS). Hosted by Maldives, as Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), the Ministerial marked an important initiative to keep renewable energy in SIDS high on the international agenda through the outreach of the AOSIS members. AOSIS Members agreed that IRIE should begin with a mapping exercise to better understand what initiatives already exist that are doing good work. This would help identify potential synergies as well as gaps, better focus the work of IRIE and form the basis of an information clearinghouse. IRENA is expanding its work under the SIDS Lighthouses Initiative to include support to SIDS on the implementation of their NDCs and therefore coordination with AOSIS on the development and implementation of IRIE is critical.