IRENA 30th Council Meeting to Focus on Accelerating Global Energy Transition Ahead of COP30

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) will convene its 30th Council meeting on October 31 in Abu Dhabi to assess progress on its ongoing initiatives and set collective priorities to advance the global energy transition. The two-day meeting comes as preparations intensify for COP30 and the 16th IRENA Assembly scheduled for January 2026.

The Council will deliberate on strategies to achieve the global objectives outlined in the UAE Consensus, which call for tripling renewable power capacity and doubling energy efficiency improvements by 2030. The discussions follow the release of IRENA’s latest tracking report during the Pre-COP event in Brazil, which revealed that while renewable energy deployment continues to grow, it still falls short of the pace required to meet the 2030 targets.

IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera noted that 2024 marked a record-breaking year with 582 GW of renewable capacity added globally—a milestone that narrows but does not yet close the gap toward the tripling goal. “Governments must demonstrate leadership and make COP30 in Brazil a defining moment for renewables. With new NDCs due ahead of COP30, this Council meeting is crucial to reaffirm collective ambition,” he said.

H.E. Francisco Chacón Hernández, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to IRENA and Chair of the 30th Council, emphasized the importance of cooperation and knowledge-sharing. “Our experience in Costa Rica demonstrates that renewable-driven energy systems can coexist with social progress, economic resilience, and environmental stewardship. The current challenge requires collective action and strengthened regional collaboration,” he stated.

The Council’s agenda will include programmatic discussions on clean industrialisation and strategies to enhance resilience in renewable energy and critical materials supply chains. Members will also review regional cooperation initiatives and explore mechanisms to attract greater investment for renewable energy expansion.

Insights and recommendations from the 30th Council meeting will shape the agenda for the 16th IRENA Assembly, set to take place in Abu Dhabi on 11–12 January 2026. As the first ministerial energy gathering of the year, the Assembly will assess global progress and outline key priorities to guide the energy transition in the year ahead.