China, IRENA to Co-Host International Forum on Energy Transitions

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2 November 2015 – Energy leaders from government, business and the scientific community will gather in Suzhou City, China from 5-7 November for the first International Forum on Energy Transitions. The three-day event will provide a platform for leaders to share strategy and forward looking views, and facilitate the exchange of existing knowledge and best practices, which are critical for the acceleration of the global energy transition.

The forum will feature a range of strategic, policy-oriented, business and technical discussions to stimulate innovative thinking on the global energy transition, particularly China’s energy revolution. The event is also intended to inform the discussions on the mitigation of climate change at the COP21 in Paris, France, which begins later this month.

"China has been stepping up efforts to deploy renewables – even in the context of an economic slowdown – a firm signal of the country’s commitment to take practical actions to address energy and environmental challenges," said IRENA Director-General Adnan Z. Amin. "How China’s energy situation shapes up now and in the years ahead will play a critical role in determining how fast the world can move towards a sustainable energy future."

"This important event will be a timely platform for us to take stock of the current status of the energy revolution underway in China and in countries around the world, particularly in the lead-up to the UN climate change talks in Paris," added Mr. Amin.

In addition to co-organising the three-day Forum, IRENA and the Chinese National Energy Administration will also be hosting a session on international cooperation for renewable energy development focusing on the potential of the G20 approach. Last month, G20 energy ministers convened for the first time and adopted an IRENA-led renewable energy toolkit to facilitate energy cooperation in the global transition towards renewable energy. China will assume the G20 presidency from Turkey in December 2015.