The International Renewable Energy Agency, the international organization made up of governments for advancing renewable energy, signed a revised agreement that made Abu Dhabi the organization's permanent headquarters.

Irena chose the United Arab Emirates' capital as its headquarters in 2009 (See story). With Irena becoming a full-fledged organization on April 5, 2011 and Abu Dhabi being designated as its permanent seat, it became necessary to adjust the text of the original agreement between the two entities.

The Headquarters Agreement, signed by Irena director general Adnan Z. Amin and U.A.E. minister of state Dr. Anwar Gargash expresses the future relationship between the agency and the government of the U.A.E. The previous agreement existed between the U.A.E. and Irena's preparatory commission.

"Formalizing Irena's permanent presence in Abu Dhabi is an important milestone for our country, and puts us alongside countries that host some of the world's most respected international organizations," said Dr. Gargash.

This is the first time that an international organization with global membership is basing its office in the Middle East.

The U.A.E. has been a member of Irena since June 2009. Currently, Irena has 95 members and 63 signatories or applicants for membership.

Irena recently held its third council meeting in Abu Dhabi with 260 representatives gathering to discuss issues related to the organization's strategic direction and its plans for the immediate future.

Mr. Amin defined Irena's vision for the future to be the "principal platform for international cooperation, a center of excellence on renewable energy and a repository of policy, technology, resource and financial knowledge, and to support countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future."

At the council meeting, the agency released findings of a report which states that reaching the objective of sustainable energy for all could create almost 4 million direct jobs by 2030.

Another analysis found that renewable power generation technologies are becoming increasingly competitive, accounting for half of all new power generation capacity additions worldwide.

Renewables were also found to have become the most economical solution for off-grid electrification and grid extension in many developing areas where their needs cannot be served by existing electricity grids. – EcoSeed Staff