Abu Dhabi Dispatch – Shaban Hedia
The 16th session of the General Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) officially commenced today in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, against a backdrop of unprecedented growth in global renewable energy capacity, coupled with persistent geographic disparities in the distribution of economic and social benefits.
Held under the theme “Powering Humanity: Renewable Energy for Shared Prosperity,” the Assembly brings together more than 1,500 heads of state and government, ministers, energy policymakers, industry leaders, representatives of multilateral organizations, and global financial institutions, with the shared objective of accelerating the global energy transition and aligning it more closely with inclusive development goals.
Egypt is participating in the Assembly through an official delegation headed by Dr. Mahmoud Esmat, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, reflecting Cairo’s growing focus on expanding clean energy deployment, strengthening regional power interconnections, and advancing a sustainable energy transition.
Record Growth, Uneven Outcomes
According to the latest report released by IRENA, renewable energy capacity additions reached new record levels for the third consecutive year, underscoring the rapid pace of transformation underway in the global energy sector.
However, the Agency cautioned that the promise of the energy transition has not yet translated into tangible economic benefits and job creation across all regions, as gains remain heavily concentrated in a limited number of countries and markets. This imbalance, IRENA noted, risks widening development gaps between advanced economies and emerging and developing nations.
The challenge, the Agency emphasized, is no longer confined to scaling up installed capacity, but rather ensuring that the energy transition delivers equitable economic returns, supports local value chains, fosters industrial development, and creates sustainable employment opportunities worldwide.
Reimagining the Future of Energy
The Assembly’s opening session features high-level dialogues under the banner “Reimagining the Future of Energy,” aimed at shaping a new global narrative around renewable energy—one that extends beyond climate mitigation to position clean energy as a cornerstone of economic resilience, social equity, and long-term development.
These discussions seek to identify priority actions required to unlock the full potential of renewable energy as a catalyst for inclusive growth, structural economic transformation, and enhanced resilience in both developing and advanced economies.
Tracking Progress on the UAE Consensus
Throughout the Assembly, deliberations will focus on accelerating the deployment of renewable energy across regions, with a strong emphasis on economic inclusion, equity, and human well-being.
As the Custodian Agency responsible for tracking key energy goals under the UAE Consensus, IRENA will present updated data and projections from the second edition of its report “Delivering on the UAE Consensus,” which monitors progress toward tripling global renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030.
Renewables, Food Systems, and Energy Security
Given the urgent need for stronger political momentum and enhanced international cooperation, several ministerial and high-level sessions are being convened, including on the Pre-Assembly Day, to facilitate dialogue among decision-makers and inform the Agency’s future work.
Key discussions will address emerging global trends and pressing challenges, including:
• Harnessing renewable energy in agri-food systems
• Advancing geothermal energy
• Strengthening energy security
• Ensuring a cost-effective energy transition
• Developing policy frameworks related to critical and strategic materials essential for clean energy supply chains
In parallel, the Legislators Forum, Public-Private Dialogue, and Youth Forum continue to provide platforms for in-depth exchanges among stakeholders vital to advancing a just, inclusive, and people-centered renewable energy landscape.
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
The IRENA Assembly coincides with the launch of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), scheduled to take place from 11 to 15 January 2026, alongside the World Future Energy Summit, further reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s role as a global hub for sustainability and clean energy dialogue.
United States Withdrawal
In a related development, IRENA expressed regret over the announced intention of the United States to withdraw from its membership in the Agency.
The Agency acknowledged that the United States, as a long-standing Member and key global stakeholder, has played an important role in advancing renewable energy through international cooperation over the years.
IRENA underscored that renewable energy is no longer solely a climate solution, but rather smart economics, and will be a decisive factor in determining the competitiveness of national economies. Renewable energy, the Agency noted, is a powerful driver of business opportunities, job creation, technological leadership, and industrial innovation.
From lowering electricity costs to enabling strategic investment, the energy transition represents a historic economic opportunity for countries worldwide.
In today’s uncertain global environment, IRENA stressed that renewable energy is essential to ensuring energy security and strengthening geopolitical positions.
The Agency reaffirmed that international collaboration is more critical than ever, reiterating its commitment to supporting countries and businesses in accelerating the global energy transition and delivering its socioeconomic, environmental, and security benefits.
IRENA also recognized the valuable contributions made by the United States to the work of the Agency and its 171 Member States, expressing hope for renewed engagement in the future.
“The door for continued cooperation remains open,” the Agency concluded.
