By: Economy middle east

IRENA Convenes 30th Council to Accelerate Global Energy Transition

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is set to host its 30th Council meeting in Abu Dhabi. This two-day gathering will review the agency's progress and establish collective priorities to accelerate the global energy transition, serving as a critical step in preparations for the upcoming COP30 in Brazil and the 16th IRENA Assembly in January 2026.

Assessing Progress and Closing the Ambition Gap

A central focus of the meeting will be the delivery of global climate goals outlined in the UAE Consensus, particularly the target to triple renewable power capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030. The discussions follow the release of a recent IRENA tracking report which confirmed that, despite a third consecutive year of record deployments, progress remains insufficient. In 2024, 582 gigawatts of new renewable capacity were added, narrowing the gap but still falling short of the required pathway.

IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera emphasized the urgency, stating that governments must show leadership to make COP30 a milestone for renewables. He highlighted the upcoming 30th Council as a pivotal moment to underscore the need for greater collective ambition, especially with new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) due ahead of the Brazil conference.

Strategic Discussions on Cooperation and Investment

The Council, chaired by Francisco Chacón Hernández, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the UAE, will address key programmatic areas to guide the energy transition. Delegates will examine the role of clean industrialization in promoting sustainable development, with a focus on enhancing resilience in critical materials and renewable energy supply chains.

The meeting will also serve as a platform for members to exchange national experiences, explore options to strengthen international cooperation, and consider avenues to expand access to the investment required to scale up renewable energy deployment. Ambassador Chacón Hernández stressed that the scale of the challenge demands collective action, bridging regions and sharing knowledge to accelerate progress.

Setting the Stage for Future Ministerial Dialogue

The outcomes of the 30th Council meeting will directly inform the agenda of the 16th IRENA Assembly, scheduled for January 2026 in Abu Dhabi. This assembly will convene ministers and high-level representatives, making it the first major ministerial energy meeting of the year. Its purpose will be to take stock of global progress and establish the guiding priorities for the energy transition in the year ahead.