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REEEP has welcomed the selection of Abu Dhabi as the interim headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency, and congratulates Ms. Hélène Pelosse, the agency’s new Director General. “Being headquartered in Abu Dhabi sends a clear signal that IRENA will approach renewable energy from a truly global perspective, and we congratulate Sultan Al Jaber on the achievement of bringing IRENA to Masdar," said Marianne Osterkorn. "We also warmly congratulate Ms. Pelosse on her appointment. Her background in renewable energy as well as in international climate and energy negotiations will serve her well, and we wish her every success in this new role.”
The IRENA announcements come out of a two-day meeting of the agency’s Preparatory Commission in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, where REEEP was present as an observer. The UAE’s two rivals for hosting the headquarters, Germany and Austria, both withdrew their bids shortly before the final selection, allowing the choice of location to be made without a vote of the 136 member countries. When completed, the agency’s headquarters will be located in Masdar, a $22 billion zero carbon emissions city being built next to Abu Dhabi airport. The Masdar development, set for completion in 2015, is meant to set an example of a sustainable city of 50,000 people in a desert climate, using the latest technology combined with architecture with traditional Arab influences. In addition to its headquarters, the agency will also have two other satellite locations. According to the IRENA website, “Bonn will host IRENA’s center of technology and innovation and . . . in Vienna, the Agency’s liaison office for cooperation with other organisations active in the field of renewables will be established. This reflects the spirit of cooperation that is needed for IRENA to grow into a strong and effective organisation.” Noting this, Marianne Osterkorn said "REEEP looks forward to working closely with IRENA globally, and particularly in contributing to the success of the Vienna liaison office."
Shortly before the meetings in Sharm El Sheikh began, more than 20 new member countries signed up to IRENA, including Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia. |
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