Bangladesh has been elected Vice Chair of the 27th Council of International Renewable Energy Agency ( IRENA), the second highest body of the Agency comprising 168 countries and the EU. The two-day council meeting commenced yesterday in Abu Dhabi Sheraton, where representatives from more than 100 counties have gathered to discuss the current state of investments in renewable energy and partnerships, as well as to explore best practices in energy transition.
Bangladesh, represented by Mohamed Abu Zafar, Permanent Representative to IRENA and Ambassador to the UAE, in his capacity as Vice Chair, chaired today an important session of the council meeting titled ‘ Derisking investments towards realizing SDG7’. A five-member Bangladesh delegation led by the Ambassador and comprising representatives from Power Division and the officials from Bangladesh Embassy in Abu Dhabi are attending the Council.
In the National Statement made in the Council, Bangladesh highligited its ambitious target to install about 30 GW renewable energy capacities by 2041 that required at least 30 billion USD investment. Bangladesh urged IRENA and associated bodies to facilitate necessary funding as well as support for capacity building and technology transfer.
On the sideline of the council meeting, Bangladesh delegation also held a bilateral meeting with the Director (Country Engagement & Partnership), IRENA to discuss about the progress of Renewable Readiness Assessment currently underway by IRENA, Flexibility Analyses, Funding from ETAF ( Energy Transition Accelerated Financing) and private sectors’ engagement with IRENA to achieve the national targets in renewable energy. In bilateral meeting Bangladesh delegation led by National Focal Point Mr. Nirod Chandra Mondal, Joint Secretary, Power Division.
In recent years Bangladesh has increased its engagements with IRENA substantially. Bangladesh was elected a Council member of IRENA for the year 2024 and a member of the Administrative and Financial Committee for the term 2024-2025. This year IRENA, in coordination with Power Division has initiated the Renewable Readiness Assessment for Bangladesh that would give a clear picture of the potentials for renewable resources of the country.
