Abu Dhabi / Bonn — The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) continues to consolidate its role as a leading global force in the energy sector, bringing together more than 170 member states through its headquarters in Abu Dhabi and its Innovation and Technology Center in Bonn, Germany. This week, government representatives and non-governmental observers convened in Abu Dhabi for IRENA’s annual General Assembly, a key forum shaping global energy policy at a time when renewable energy investments have surpassed those in fossil fuels.
The World Wind Energy Association (WWEA), a long-standing supporter of IRENA’s establishment and mission, participated actively in the General Assembly. WWEA’s delegation included President Dr Irfan Mirza, Secretary General Stefan Gsänger, Vice Presidents Dr Karunamoorthy and Zeeshan Ashfaq, and Dr Ibrahim Togola, who joined the discussions virtually.
During the annual meeting of the IRENA Coalition for Action — the agency’s primary platform for collaboration with non-governmental stakeholders — new task forces were approved, and WWEA Secretary General Stefan Gsänger was elected to the Coalition’s Steering Group, further strengthening cooperation between WWEA and IRENA.
Against the backdrop of growing urgency to accelerate renewable energy deployment worldwide, and recent signals of shifting geopolitical positions, WWEA stressed the importance of reinforcing international collaboration among renewable energy advocates.
Dr Irfan Mirza, President of WWEA, highlighted that close coordination between international institutions and civil society organizations is essential to ensure a rapid, inclusive, and people-centered global energy transition.
Commenting on his election, Stefan Gsänger said it was an honour to join the Steering Group after many years of close cooperation with IRENA, reaffirming his commitment to an inclusive energy transformation that places citizens and communities at the heart of the transition.
Zeeshan Ashfaq noted that global renewable energy markets have reached a pivotal phase for emerging economies, with many countries already exceeding the five percent renewable energy threshold. He stressed that the next stage of growth must be anchored in community participation, ensuring local jobs, economic value, and long-term social benefits.
Drawing on experience from Africa and the Sahel, Dr Ibrahim Togola emphasized that renewable energy is uniquely positioned to address energy access, youth employment, climate resilience, and social stability simultaneously. He noted that when communities and locally owned enterprises become energy producers rather than mere consumers, renewable energy becomes a foundation for peace and sustainable development.
