Solomon Islands attends the 14th IRENA Assembly Meeting in Abu Dhabi

A Solomon Islands delegation is currently in Abu Dhabi, UAE to attend the 14^th IRENA Assembly meeting held from 16^th – 18^th April 2024. The Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, Dr Christopher Vehe, led the delegation.

The meeting is important for Solomon Islands to discuss with other member States of IRENA and other International organizations areas of cooperation, collaboration and initiatives to address our renewably energy needs.

In welcoming delegates to the 14^th IRENA Assembly meeting, the Director General (DG) of IRENA, Francesco La Camera, highlighted that as the supreme decision-making organ of IRENA, the Assembly, comprising of 169 Members provides a strategic global platform for inclusive and diverse discussions on all facets of the energy transition.

Solomon Islands engagement through IRENA is critical to meeting our ambitious targets set under the Climate Change National Development Contribution (NDC).

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (EE) technologies holds the key to unlocking our just transition towards increasing our current energy mix.

Following on from the outcomes of the COP28, the 14^th IRENA Assembly revolved around the theme ‘Outcome of COP28: Infrastructure, Policies and Skills for Tripling Renewables and Accelerating the Energy Transition’.

The Solomon Islands delegation will participate in dialogues, presentations and country interventions on the following meetings;

1. SIDS Ministerial Charting a Resilient and Sustainable Energy Future for SIDS
2. Roundtable on the Role of Public Finance and Policy in Achieving Universal Energy Access under SDG7
3. Participatory Strategies for Developing Just and Renewable-Based Energy Pathways
4. General Member Statements
5. High-level Plenary Session on Tripling of Renewables Member Interventions
6. Plenary session Accelerating the Development of Bankable Renewable Energy Projects – leveraging IRENA’s Facilitation Platforms for Global Transition
7. Global Geothermal Alliance Annual Meeting

The Solomon Islands delegation also include; His Excellency, Mr Cornelius Walegerea, Solomon Islands Ambassador to UAE, Mr Gabriel Aimaea, Director Energy Acting, Mr Pradip Verma, Tina River Hydropower Project Manager, Mr Toswell Kaua and Mr Richard Bapo , Senior Government Officer within the Energy Division.

ENDS//

– Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification