Enlarge image

The IRENA Founding Conference will take place at the World Conference Center in Bonn.

(© Presseamt Bundesstadt Bonn)

The International Renewable Energy Agency, IRENA, will be founded on Monday, January 26 in Bonn, Germany, after intensive preparations involving more than 60 countries. Mandated by governments worldwide and acting as a global voice for renewable energy, IRENA will be the main driving force in promoting a rapid transition towards the widespread and sustainable use of renewable energy.

More than 100 countries have already confirmed their participation, and almost half of the countries are planning to sign the foundation treaty.

The goal of IRENA, an initiative launched by Germany with like-minded countries, especially Spain and Denmark, is to promote the expansion of renewable energies worldwide. It will provide global leadership, practical advice, and support to ensure renewable energy rapidly reaches its potential.

Enlarge image

The goal of IRENA is to promote the expansion of renewable energies worldwide.

(© BMU)

IRENA is the first intergovernmental organization to solely concentrate on renewable energy and to offer support to industrialized and developing countries alike. By providing advice, IRENA will support member countries to improve their regulatory frameworks and build capacity. The agency will facilitate access to all relevant information, including reliable data on the potential of renewable energy, best practices, effective financial mechanisms and state-of-the-art technological expertise.

The German government has announced its desire for Bonn to be considered as host city of IRENA. Bonn has developed into a center for environment and sustainable development since the transfer of the German capital to Berlin after reunification. The medium-sized city also hosts 16 United Nations institutions, including the office of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.