UAE ratifies IRENA Headquarters, cements position as renewable energy hub

The United Arab Emirates today announced the formal ratification of its headquarters agreement with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), confirming IRENA’s position as the global hub for renewable energy, and the first international organisation headquartered in the Middle East.

The announcement was made during the first day of the annual IRENA Assembly in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of ministers and officials from 150 countries. It formally accords IRENA all the rights, privileges and protections of an international organisation.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, the UAE’s Special Envoy for Energy and Climate Change and CEO of Masdar speaking at the IRENA General Assembly, 13th Jan, 2013

The agreement also highlights the UAE’s emergence as a global centre of excellence for renewable energy. Abu Dhabi is home to Masdar, the renewable energy city, and this week is hosting thousands of industry leaders and policy makers for Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW).

“I want to thank the UAE’s leadership for their support of IRENA’s HQ ratification, which represents a major milestone for the future of the Agency,” said Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, the UAE’s Special Envoy for Energy and Climate Change and CEO of Masdar.  “The UAE now has its first fully fledged international organization –reflecting and enhancing our position as a global hub for the energy industry.”

“The ratification of our headquarters agreement, and the presence of a record breaking number of ministers and policy makers at the 2013 Assembly, marks IRENA’s coming of age,” said Adnan Amin, IRENA Director General. “What began as a visionary idea in 2009 has truly taken form. The renewable energy era is upon us.”