Over 1,500 global leaders across Africa and other continents are converging on Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) to decide on critical energy transition issues

The industry players and decision-makers, who are participating at the 13th Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) would consider issues bothering on investment, critical materials, energy planning, decarbonization of end use and the renewables-healthcare nexus.

The 13th Assembly is coming at a time when Nigeria, faced with a serious energy crisis is seeking to raise $1.9 trillion to finance its energy transition plan. Recall that Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo launched the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan (ETP) in 2022, creating a strategy to reach a net-zero emissions energy system by 2060.

The 13th Assembly is expected to bring together Heads of State, Ministers and energy decision-makers from multilateral organisations, global stakeholders and private actors, who would take stock of progress and chart an action agenda to accelerate the global energy transition.

With the theme “World Energy Transitions – The Global Stocktake” the event would identify energy transition priorities in preparation for the UAE-hosted UN Climate Conference COP28 later in the year.
Speaking at the event, IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera disclosed that the world has a remarkable opportunity, and responsibility, to ensure that the energy decisions being made, places the world on a positive trajectory for sustainable development.

“The Assembly enables governments to align efforts on the building of a new energy system, delivering on the achievement of the Paris Agreement goals and on critical global priorities such as job creation, green industrial development and supply chains, energy security and universal access, among others,” La Camera said.

India’s Cabinet Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy and President-Designate of the 13th IRENA Assembly, Raj Kumar Singh noted that the energy transition must not only be a priority, but a responsibility for countries, industries, and communities.

According to him, India continues to advance visible action towards its strong commitment and would facilitate discussions on the trajectory of the energy transition in preparation for the Global Stocktake process.