Abu Dhabi : The first Irena (International Renewable Energy Agency) summit begins today in Abu Dhabi, the headquarters of the agency.
Leaders and policymakers from 139 signatory nations as well as several non-member nations have converged for the Preparatory Commission for Irena.
During the meeting, members will decide on the projects Irena will be focusing on this year. They will vote on the allocation of the agency's $15 million (Dh55.05 million) budget.
As the agency completes a year of its formation this month, it has managed to cluster nations together for the cause of renewable energy, said Hélène Pelosse, Irena's Interim Director-General.
Growing numbers
"We started with 60 members. With growing interest in renewables, the numbers have grown steadily. More members are expected to join shortly," she said ahead of the meeting.
On January 6, Czech Republic became the 139th country to sign up as a member of the agency .
This is the third session of the commission, since Irena was set up in Bonn on January 26, 2009. The first session was held in Germany to establish the agency. The second was held in Egypt, where Pelosse was elected and Abu Dhabi was chosen as the headquarters.
