Australia and Finland to vote for UAE's Irena bid

Abu Dhabi: With voting just a few days away, a number of countries are openly announcing their support for the UAE's bid to host the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena).

Read in-depth on UAE's bid to host Irena

Even non-Irena member countries are extending the diplomatic support to the UAE and campaigning among friendly countries to gain support for the Emirates' bid.

Finland, an Irena member, will vote for the UAE's bid, Finnish Ambassador to the UAE told Gulf News.

Finland took the decision based on three major reasons, including the practical convenience of the UAE's geographical location, Matti Lassila said.

The UAE lies between east and west, making it a perfect place to host an international organisation, he said.

The UAE's progressive policies on renewable energy deserve the support, according to the ambassador.

"Headquarters of most of the international agencies are concentrated in a few countries. If a new country hosts the headquarters of Irena, it will make a difference," Lassila said.

Meanwhile, Canada has also extended its diplomatic support.

Canada is not a member of Irena. "We also urge others to consider this impressive bid," Sara Hradecky, Canada's Ambassador to the UAE told Gulf News.

As a major renewable energy producer, Canada is considering how it can best make a contribution to the work of Irena, she added.

The UAE has made a successful campaign to win the Irena bid, Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said in a statement. "We are optimistic about the success of the UAE's bid."

The international situation has changed a lot since the 1950s and 1960s and it is multi-centred in political, economical and social arenas, so the UAE's bid was widely accepted, Gargash said.

The UAE has offered $22 million to Irena until 2015, the minister said.

About 98 member countries will meet at Sharm Al Shaikh in Egypt on Monday and Tuesday to choose the headquarters of Irena.

Australia will also vote for the UAE, the Australian Ambassador told Gulf News.

"Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd had announced that Australia would become a member of the International Renewable Energy Agency, strengthening our role as a global leader in tackling climate change," Jeremy Bruer said.

Australia recognises the strong commitment of the UAE towards renewable energy and its willingness to fund the agency, he said.

The Czech Republic is also considering the UAE's bid.

The supporting arguments of the UAE place Abu Dhabi in a strong position as a candidate for hosting Irena headquarters, Vera Jerabkova, Ambassador of the Czech Republic, said. But, the Czech Republic is currently not in a position to influence the choice of a host country for Irena headquarters, she said.

"Nevertheless, in case the Czech Republic signs the Irena Statute before the June Irena conference, my country will certainly take into account all supporting arguments presented by the UAE," she said.

The International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) was officially established in Bonn on January 26, and aims to become the main driving force for promoting a rapid transition towards the widespread and sustainable use of renewable energy on a global scale.

A total of 108 states have signed the statute of the agency, among them 39 African, 32 European, 27 Asian and 10 Latin-American countries.

As the global voice for renewable energies, Irena envisages providing practical advice and support for both industrialised and developing countries, thereby helping to improve frameworks and build capacity.

Moreover, the agency intends to facilitate access to all relevant information, including reliable data on the potentials for renewable energy, best practices, effective financial mechanisms, and state-of-the-art technological expertise.

With the establishment of the Preparatory Commission, the agency began work the day after the Founding Conference on January 27.

The Preparatory Commission consists of Irena's signatory states and acts as the interim body during the founding period. The commission will be dissolved after entry into force of the statute, which will occur upon the 25th deposit of an instrument of ratification.

The agency will then consist of an assembly, a council, and a secretariat.

Source: Reuters, irena.org