UN proclaims IRENA founding date as International Day of Clean Energy

Image: WAM

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), which has 193 member states, has adopted a resolution proclaiming the January 26, the anniversary day of the founding of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), as the International Day of Clean Energy.

This move acknowledges IRENA’s leading role in accelerating the global, renewables-based energy transition.

Welcoming the UN resolution, IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera said, “It is with much enthusiasm that I applaud the UN and its Member States, including the UAE Panama as co-facilitators of the resolution, on their decision to create an International Day of Clean Energy.

“It is proof, that since the foundation of IRENA on the January 26, 2009, the energy transition has taken centre-stage to fight climate change, enhance human welfare and drive an urgent and systemic shift for increased energy access, reduced inequalities, improved energy security, and prosperous and resilient economies and societies.”

International Day of Clean Energy marks need for unified action

La Camera added, “Launching an International Day of Clean Energy is a powerful way to remind the world of its commitment to universal clean energy access and meeting the Paris Agreement climate goal.”

With COP28, to be held in Dubai, approaching, this UN decision highlights the need for a unified global approach to energy issues.

Meanwhile Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, stated that the UNGA acknowledging January 26 as the International Day of Clean Energy, is a pioneering step that will encourage countries to adopt solutions aimed at accelerating the transition to clean energy and realising emission reduction targets by 2030 to help limit global warming to 1.5°C, avoid the worst effects of climate change and maintain a liveable climate.