International Energy Forum sets new milestone by signing MOU with IRENA
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Dr Sun Xiansheng, Secretary General of the International Energy Forum (IEF), and Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 12 January, 2020 at the conclusion of the Tenth Session of the IRENA Assembly in Abu Dhabi.
In an important step forward for the global energy dialogue, the International Energy Forum (IEF) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) will work together and seek greater dialogue and cooperation on energy issues. The MOU aims to provide a framework for cooperation between the two organisations that will include everything from working on joint research projects and sharing insights to collaborating on high-level events and technical workshops.
"There are many organisations that bring their own unique energy perspectives," says Dr. Sun Xiansheng. "However, we cannot solve the world's energy challenges in isolation. Now more than ever, collaboration and dialogue are needed to advance global energy sustainability and transformation towards a low-carbon energy future."
Informal dialogue between the IEF and IRENA has accelerated in recent years which culminated in a presentation by IRENA Director-General Francisco La Camera on IRENA's perspectives on the global energy transformation outlining a pathway to sustainability based on renewables on 16 October, 2019 at the IEF headquarters in Riyadh. Dialogue between both organisations will be further strengthened at the 1st IEF-IRENA Seminar on Renewables and Clean Energy Technology Outlooks in collaboration with other partners at the IEF on 20 February, 2020.
The collaboration with IRENA is in line with the IEF Vision, Mission, and Values which was formally adopted by the IEF Executive Board on 18 December, 2019. Part of this mission involves expanding collaboration and outreach with like-minded and relevant organisations at both a national and international level to strengthen the energy dialogue. The aim is to promote and facilitate greater mutual understanding of common energy issues, narrow differences between various stakeholders, cooperate in key areas, exchange views, and develop confidence and trust through improved information-sharing.
From the IEF perspective, dialogue will focus on three key pillars that include:
- Energy Security
- Energy Transition
- Energy Efficiency
To ensure effective dialogue that incorporates a multitude of views and perspectives, the IEF will ensure all dialogue will remain collaborative, adaptive, balanced, impactful and reliable according to the IEF Vision, Mission and Values guidelines.
The MOU with IRENA is one of several steps towards consolidating the role of the dialogue in the future to promote inclusive economic growth, prioritise energy security, alleviate climate change, and facilitate an orderly energy transition.
