The 16th International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly convenes from 11–12 January 2026 in Abu Dhabi, marking the first major international energy meeting of the year. The Assembly, held under the theme “Powering Humanity: Renewable Energy for Shared Prosperity,” will bring together 1,500 ministers, high-level delegates, CEOs, investors, international organisations, and youth representatives from IRENA’s 171 Member States to set international cooperation priorities for the global energy transition.
Key discussions at the Assembly will focus on regional energy transitions, critical enablers such as grids and energy planning, digital innovation and Artificial Intelligence (AI), mobilising finance, sustainable aviation fuels, and the role of renewables in agri-food systems and green industrialisation.
Francesco La Camera, IRENA Director-General, said, “It’s time to ignite a global push and positive vision for the energy transition. While renewables are breaking records year after year, progress remains geographically uneven. Our Assembly will put real-world solutions and new approaches center stage — unlocking the full potential of the energy transition as a driver of inclusive development, structural transformation, and long-term resilience in both developing and developed countries.”
Bojan Kumer, President of the 15th IRENA Assembly and Slovenia’s Minister for the Environment, Climate and Energy, emphasised IRENA’s role as a trusted voice for global cooperation on renewable energy technologies and a cornerstone of sustainable growth and economic prosperity worldwide.
Representing the incoming Presidency, Betty Soto, Deputy Minister of Innovation and Energy Transition of the Dominican Republic, highlighted the importance of resilience, justice, and energy security for Small Island Developing States. She noted the Dominican Republic’s initiatives, such as the Sargassum-to-Energy project, and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to fostering an inclusive, member-driven institution that advances renewable energy for a just and sustainable global transition.
As IRENA’s supreme decision-making body, the Assembly serves as a strategic platform for inclusive and diverse discussions on all facets of the energy transition. The event will mark the 6th World Energy Transition Day, beginning on 11 January with a High-Level Dialogue on “Reimagining Energy Futures: Bold Visions for Shared Prosperity.”
Ahead of the Assembly, several ministerial and high-level events were held on Pre-Assembly Day, 10 January 2026, to foster interaction among decision-makers and shape the Agency’s future work.
The 16th IRENA Assembly also launches the 2026 edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), running from 11–15 January, where heads of state, ministers, and experts will meet to accelerate global sustainability initiatives.
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