IRENA is coming to life

IRENA, the International Renewable Energy Agency, will adopt its statute on July 8, the organisation announced after 25 countries ratified the written enactment. Once the statute comes into force, the agency is a fully-fledged international organisation.

“IRENA’s ratification truly is a record breaker – it is among the fastest ever witnessed for such a process. We believe this really demonstrates the high level of interest being shown in IRENA by the member states.” said Helen Pelosse, interim director general of IRENA.

Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, IRENA is aiming to become the global voice for renewable energy, while promoting a swift transition towards its sustainable use. IRENA is assisting its member states in defining their renewable strategy across the fields of not only wind and solar power, but also biomass, tidal wave and geothermal energy.

The countries having ratified the statute include the United Arab Emirates, Germany and India, as well as minnows such as Liechtenstein, the Maldives and Palau.

To date, a total of 144 countries and the European Union have signed IRENA’s mandate, with membership being open to all United Nations’ members.