IRENA  -      International Renewal Energy Association.

What is IRENA? IRENA is an intergovernmental organisation focusing on renewable energies. IRENA was created as an independent organisation and act independently of any U.N. body. In the long term however, integrating IRENA into the United Nations should be considered. IRENA concentrates on alternative energies in both industrialised and developing countries. The overarching goal of IRENA is a rapid transition towards the widespread and sustainable use of renewable energy worldwide. In this regard, IRENA will increase the contribution of renewable energy to environmental and climate protection, economic growth, and social cohesion, including poverty alleviation and intergenerational equity.

Latest News:

January 11 2011: Expansion in progress.  The first session of the Assembly of IRENA takes place April 2011 Abu Dhabi, when 10 more countries are likely to sign and ratify the treaty including the United States. China and Saudi Arabia are also studying the possibility of joining, while Russia and Brazil are observing IRENA's progress.  link


History: The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) was officially established in Bonn on 26 January 2009. Mandated by these governments worldwide, IRENA aspires to become the main driving force for promoting a rapid transition towards the widespread and sustainable use of renewable energy on a global scale. Acting as the global voice for renewable energies. On its second session in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, which took place from 29-30 June 2009, the Preparatory Commission designated Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, as the interim headquarters. Bonn will host IRENA’s centre of innovation and technology and Vienna will become the Agency’s liaison office for cooperation with other organisations active in the field of renewable energy. Moreover, the French candidate, Ms. Hélène Pelosse, was appointed to become the Interim Director-General  of IRENA.

January 2010: Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter and a long-time thorn in the side of the climate-change movement, will sign onto Irena’s founding treaty “within a matter of weeks”, according to Irena director-general Hélène Pelosse. South Africa joined Irena over the weekend in a turn of events Pelosse describes as “very, very important”. Of the so-called BASIC industrialising countries integral to the Copenhagen Accord – Brazil, South Africa, India and China – only India was a signatory. Two other nations – Kyrgystan, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – also joined Irena over the weekend, bringing its total list of member states to 143. link

The Preparatory Commission comprises all countries that signed the IRENA Statute, and acts as the main decision-making body until the entry into force of the Statute after 25 ratifications. The current number of ratifications is at eight, with the ratification process ongoing for several Member States. During the third session of the Preparatory Commission decisions will be made on the 2010 Work Programme and Budget as well as on the interim financial and staff regulations and rules.  See irena.org    

Growing strength.
October 2010 - Irena was founded by 75 states in January 2009 and grew almost two-fold within 21 months. 148 countries and the European Union have signed Irena's statutes and 42 have ratified them. Among them are 48 African, 38 European, 17 American and 10 Australian/Oceanic states. Mali, Senegal and Bangladesh were the last three countries to ratify.
Signatories:  As of October 2010 there are 148 signatories to IRENA including the European Union and United states, but excluding China - list  of members and countries ratifying. 

January 2011: IRENA’s “optimal” annual budget would be between $250m and $300m in five years as the Abu Dhabi-based body does more to promote sustainable energy. Such growth would mark a 22-fold increase over the agency’s current budget of $13.5m. The United Arab Emirates lobbied successfully to become headquarters for the agency securing support from more nations than rivals Austria and Germany. The headquarters will move to Masdar City in Abu Dhabi from mid-2013. link  [The building will be the first in history to produce more energy than it consumes.]