UAE | Environment
Housing Irena, a great achievement, says Shaikh Abdullah
Securing the right to host the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency is a great achievement for the country, said Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
- By Rayeesa Absal and Abbas Al Lawati, Staff Reporters
- Published: 23:25 June 30, 2009
- Image Credit: WAM
- Shaikh Abdullah is all smiles as the Sharm Al Shaikh meeting announces that the UAE will host the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency.
Abu Dhabi/Sharm Al Shaikh: Winning the bid to host the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) in Abu Dhabi is a great achievement for the UAE, said a minister.
Germany and Austria pulled out of the race after the UAE told the executive committee of the headquarters that it would secure an overwhelming majority in the vote on Monday.
"This is a great achievement for the UAE but more importantly it is a testament to the strength of the relationships we have established throughout our campaign," Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said.
France's Helene Pelosse was on Tuesday elected to head Irena as Director General.
Pelosse, who serves in the French government as the Minister of State's deputy head of staff of international affairs, won against candidates from Denmark, Greece and Spain.
Speaking earlier, she said: "We need to come up with an agreement that allows renewable energy to be transferred across borders duty free. A crucial issue is filling the financial gap in producing renewable energy. It would be logical for oil producing countries to dedicate a portion of their energy investments to renewable energy as pioneering countries like the UAE have done."
Winning the right to host the headquarters is extraordinary because the UAE has become the only developing state to host an international agency.
Yet, ironically, the excitement associated with this victory was not reflected in newspapers in the Arab world or on Middle Eastern satellite TV channels.
Even pan-Arab newspapers based in Europe failed to acknowledge the news on their front pages. The UAE's victory was reduced to a small news item.
One cannot help but wonder whether Arabic newspapers are so used to bad news - wars and destruction - that when good news happens they don't know how to react? Or is this a matter of "jealousy"?
- With inputs from Manal Alafrangi, Opinion Editor
Have you been following this issue? What are the long-term benefits of having Irena headquarters in the
UAE?
Your comments
Congratulation to UAE Govt.
Ahmad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 01, 2009, 15:16
My sincere congratulations to HH Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of United Arab Emirates on this greatest achivement. This will certainly open doors for many other landmark achivements. IRENA is a global body and now globe is coming to our country.
Manoj Agarwala
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 01, 2009, 14:16
UAE has been a peaceful and beautiful nation.
Udayakumar Rajagopal
Thanjavur,India
Posted: July 01, 2009, 12:13
It is a momentous achievement that
UAE will be home to IRENA. By doing so the UAE will be setting a world class example to the rest of the world as the harnessing and optimum use and application of renewable energy alone holds the key to a secure and stable future for our planet. Once again my heartfelt felicitations to the UAE Authorities instrumental in bringing IRENA to our turf.
Shiuli Dutt Dey
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 01, 2009, 10:53
It draws a parellel to Switzerland and UAE.
UAE has been regarded as a neutral nationa what Switzerland in Europe. A peaceful and beautiful nation with importance for peace and Justice. UAE already established its position being a respected voice of neutrality and advocates peace. The establishment of Irena HQ is what Hague brought to Switzerland. Of course no doubt Irena in Abu Dhabi is goint to play focal point in the coming decades in reducing carbon emission and right use of energy.
Abdul Salam Arif
Calicut,India
Posted: July 01, 2009, 08:43
Congratulations to the UAE govt for this successful bid. By implication UAE takes it front seat not only in reshaping the World's future but also in saving the World from Peril. The economic, political and social benefit is simply unquantifiable!
Yunus Olatundun
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 01, 2009, 05:39
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