Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders: IRENA Youth Forum 2024 Drives Sustainable Energy Innovation

In a bid to place youth at the forefront of a just energy transition, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) hosted its 2024 Youth Forum under the theme ‘Youth at the Core of a Just Energy Transition: Skills, Empowerment and Innovation’. The event aimed not only to foster dialogue but also to arm young participants with the tools and knowledge essential for shaping a more sustainable and inclusive energy future.

Selected young delegates from diverse backgrounds participated in engaging activities, including plenaries, workshops, and bilateral engagements. These activities served as platforms to delve into the latest innovations and exchange insights on renewable energy solutions.

The momentum for a renewables-based energy transition, bolstered by the UAE Consensus to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030, received a significant boost at the forum. The consensus underscores the imperative for collective action, especially given the current off-track progress towards meeting climate targets.

With half of the global population under 30, young people emerge as pivotal stakeholders in driving a sustainable energy future. Their dynamic demographic presents a significant opportunity to accelerate the global energy transition, a role that IRENA actively facilitates through engagement across its strategic frameworks and activities.

During the session at IRENA’s 14th Pre-Assembly Day, participants explored actions in three main areas: Skills for a Just Energy Transition, Empowering Youth Voices in Energy Agendas, and Fostering Youth-Led Innovation in Sustainability. Insights and recommendations from these discussions underscored the importance of interdisciplinary skills, practical education, and technological innovation in advancing renewable energy solutions.

Organized in collaboration with the IRENA Global Council on Youth for SDG 7, the forum provided a platform for cross-generational dialogue between youth leaders, high-level officials, and stakeholders. This dialogue ensures that the insights of the younger generation guide energy policies and innovations, fostering an inclusive energy transition.

As the forum concluded, it became evident that empowering youth with knowledge and leadership skills is a strategic investment for a climate-safe future for all.