IRENA at EXPO 2020

Dubai, UAE

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) will promote the acceleration of the energy transition through ‘action on the ground’ during EXPO 2020, hosted by the United Arab Emirates from 1 October 2021 – 31 March 2022 in Dubai.

Under the theme "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”, EXPO 2020 will showcase the best examples of collaboration, innovation and cooperation from around the world. There will be more than 200 participants including nations, multilateral organisations, businesses and educational institutions.

IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera and IRENA Deputy Director-General Gauri Singh are also expected to participate in multiple events and discussions throughout the duration of the exhibition.

Here is a closer look at what IRENA is doing at EXPO 2020 in October and November:

 

Agenda

03 October 2021

16:00 – 18:30 GST
Youth Leadership for the Energy Transition - Italian Pavilion

This workshop will explore the role of young people in the energy transition and how they can play a role in addressing energy challenges through youth led action.

04 October 2021

10:00 – 16:15 GST
EU Green Deal: Research and Innovation as a driver towards climate neutrality - Sweden Pavilion

This EU event is organised in the framework of Expo2020 and it aims to highlight the EU’s excellence in research and innovation as a tool towards climate neutrality and sustainability, and the EU’s ambition of cooperating with partners toward the achievement of this global goal.

15:00 – 17:00 GST
The Drivers and Barriers of Financing Renewable Energy Projects in Developing Countries – Climate Change & Biodiversity Thematic Business Forum

The event will be organised in the form of a panel discussion, with a presentation from IRENA, focused on RE project facilitation and financing. IRENA is inviting investment firms, investment management and multilateral investment guarantee agencies to discuss the opportunities and challenges for creating a pipeline of investment-ready RE projects.

05 October 2021

11:30 – 15:30 GST
Reaching the Last Mile - Transforming Energy in Small Island Developing States

This event will place Small Island Developing States (SIDS) as the leaders of a conversation that explores how to best facilitate access to project finance when it comes to clean energy transition in SIDS. It will explore the nature of the finance challenge and move the needle on streamlining and lubricating project finance.

28 October 2021

14:00 – 17:00 GST
Renewables Talk for IRENA Permanent Representatives

The 5th Renewables Talk will be the first in-person meeting of the series and presents an interactive and dynamic platform for engagement with and between IRENA’s Permanent Representatives. Comprising of Guided tours at EXPO followed by a Networking activities, the fifth Renewables Talk will serve as a unique platform to showcase innovative strategies for advancing a sustainable, resilient, inclusive and just future for people and the planet.

04 November 2021

16:00 – 17:45 GST
Renewable Energy Policies for Cities - Italian Pavilion

The session aims at providing policymakers and urban energy planners with an understanding of the policy options, technical solutions, and examples that can support the development of the renewable energy sector at a city-level depending on their own context, state of the national energy markets, and specific objectives to achieve. The session offers an opportunity to discuss suitable policy instruments and technologies, as well as consider strategies for urban energy transformations that allow cities to foster a renewable energy future, drawing on examples of municipal authorities acting as planners, regulators, financiers and operators of urban infrastructure.