Abu Dhabi: Dr. Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs inaugurated the third preparatory session of the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) at its headquarters in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
Ministers and delegations from 138 member states of Irena are taking part in addition to 15 observer States.
The opening session of the meeting was chaired by Dr. Sultan Ahmad Al Jaber,
Chief Executive Officer Masdar. In his speech, Al Jaber outlined the work agenda for the meeting which has received the consent of all members.
Also, the member states' representatives of Irena began to deliver their speeches which focused on the steps taken by the countries to promote the uses of new and renewable energy in addition to its use in various areas of life and reduce carbon emission.
The third preparatory session of the Irena will discuss 25 items including the adoption of the Agency's budget in the current year, amounting to15 million dollars.
In addition to the steps to be taken to strengthen the Agency's activities during 2010 and beyond, accelerate and expand the scope of the transfer of energy and promote the sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy.
The meeting will also thrash out the investment mechanism of 50 million dollars submitted by Abu Dhabi Fund for Development to support "Irena" this year, as Abu Dhabi Fund pledged to submit contributions estimated at 350 million dollars for seven years to invest in renewable energy projects.
Today's meeting will also focus on the potential of "Irena" help to the countries to adopt renewable energy projects through offering guidance and supporting capacity building and training within the framework of consolidating the status of "Irena" to become the International Centre for Excellence in renewable energy and a platform to exchange and develop knowledge in this field.
