Legislators from Around the World Discuss Renewables Policy

Roughly 30 legislators, representing all regions of the world, are meeting today in Abu Dhabi at the Legislators Forum 2016 to discuss the deployment of renewable energy, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) announced.

The Forum, being held on the eve of the IRENA’s sixth Assembly, will facilitate dialogue between legislators on critical elements of the energy transformation underway in countries around the world.

“Legislators are key actors in creating the implementing measures, like policies and programmes, that support the development of renewable energy worldwide,” said IRENA Director-General Adnan Z. Amin. “By creating this community of legislators who share an interest in the field of renewables, we can better support their efforts to enable renewable energy deployment in their respective countries.”

The meeting will allow participants to exchange best practices and learn from each other’s experiences in creating effective renewable energy policy. Special guest speakers include: Dr. Amal Al-Qubaisi, President of the United Arab Emirates’ Federal National Council; Hans-Josef Fell, President of the Energy Watch Group and former member of parliament; and Claude Turmes, Member of the European Parliament and President of EUFORES.

“A month after the historical COP21 agreement obtained in Paris, parliamentarians across the globe must now take action to promote efficiency, renewables and smart grids for a just energy transition,” said Claude Turmes, Member of the European Parliament and President of EUFORES. “IRENA’s Legislators Forum is a fantastic opportunity to build a community of practice and work together with the same objectives to meet global climate goals.”

Tomorrow, global energy leaders from more than 150 countries will gather for the sixth IRENA Assembly, the first intergovernmental meeting after the UN Climate Conference in Paris. During the event, delegates will discuss IRENA’s strategic and programmatic direction to help countries accelerate deployment of renewable energy, and in doing so, meet climate goals, boost the economy, and increase energy access and security. Outcomes from today’s Legislators Forum will be fed into the Assembly discussions.