Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: The 16th Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) will take place from January 10–12, 2026, in Abu Dhabi, marking the first major international energy gathering of the year. Held under the theme “Powering Humanity: Renewable Energy for Shared Prosperity,” the Assembly aims to galvanize global momentum and cooperation around an accelerated, inclusive energy transition.
The high-level meeting will bring together around 1,500 ministers and senior delegates from IRENA’s 171 Member States, alongside CEOs, investors, international organizations and youth leaders, to shape a shared global agenda for renewable energy action in 2026.
Key discussions will focus on regional energy transitions, critical enablers such as power grids, integrated energy planning, digital innovation and artificial intelligence (AI), as well as mobilizing finance, including for sustainable aviation fuels. The role of renewables in strengthening agri-food systems and advancing green industrialization will also be high on the agenda.
“It’s time to ignite a global push and a positive vision for the energy transition,” said Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA. “Shifting geopolitics and intensifying climate impacts are putting energy resilience at risk. While renewables are breaking records year after year, progress remains uneven. This Assembly will spotlight real-world solutions that unlock the full potential of renewables as a driver of inclusive development, structural transformation and long-term resilience.”
Bojan Kumer, President of the 15th IRENA Assembly and Slovenia’s Minister for the Environment, Climate and Energy, emphasized IRENA’s stabilizing role in uncertain times. “IRENA stands as a trusted voice for global cooperation on renewable energy technologies and a cornerstone of sustainable growth and long-term economic prosperity worldwide,” he said.
Representing the incoming Presidency of the 16th Assembly, Betty Soto, Deputy Minister of Innovation and Energy Transition of the Dominican Republic, highlighted the importance of renewables for vulnerable nations. “For Small Island Developing States, the energy transition is inseparable from resilience, justice and the right to a secure future. As President of the Assembly, we are committed to advancing an inclusive, member-driven institution and a just global energy transition that leaves no one behind.”
As IRENA’s supreme decision-making body, the Assembly is widely recognized as a strategic global platform for inclusive dialogue on all aspects of the energy transition. Marking the 6th World Energy Transition Day, the Assembly will officially open on January 11, 2026, with a high-level dialogue titled “Reimagining Energy Futures: Bold Visions for Shared Prosperity.”
In view of the urgent need for political momentum, several ministerial and high-level meetings will be held on Pre-Assembly Day, January 10, 2026, to facilitate dialogue among decision-makers and help shape the Agency’s future work.
The 16th IRENA Assembly will also kick off the 2026 edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), running from January 11–15, bringing together global leaders and experts to accelerate international sustainability and climate action.
