The UAE has entered into a partnership with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to empower 20 developing nations in enhancing their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
The partnership, revealed on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York during a joint UAE-IRENA event, aims to leverage the UAE’s climate and renewable energy leadership. Building on IRENA’s pivotal role in supporting NDC development under the NDC Partnership, it strives to drive the sustainable energy future.
The collaboration seeks to address the pressing issues faced by the developing economies, such as lack of technical capacities and limited access to financial support. Under the partnership, 20 developing economies will be empowered to develop more detailed and quantifiable renewable energy targets across all sectors, which align with national energy plans with their NDCs.
The deployments of renewable and clean energy solutions are crucial for countries to achieve and enhance the ambitions of their NDCs. The first Global Stocktake at COP28 led to the UAE Consensus, providing a roadmap for a just energy transition (JET) aimed at tripling the renewable power capacity by 2030, to achieve the Paris Agreement goals.
Dr. Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment
“Bridging the gaps between current NDC ambitions and the targets we need to achieve before the end of the decade is a critical challenge of the climate crisis, and one that we must work together to fix, and swiftly. The UAE is proud to collaborate with IRENA and help empower developing countries to accelerate their energy transitions by enhancing the effectiveness of their NDCs. This partnership marks a promising step towards ensuring that nations can raise and meet their climate targets, and contribute to global efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C. As a global renewable energy pioneer, the UAE is committed to advancing global climate action and the energy transition. This partnership with IRENA under the NDC Partnership is part of the UAE’s broader efforts to support the tripling of renewable energy capacity by 2030, as outlined in the UAE Consensus following COP28 UAE.”
Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA, stated that, “Renewables are widely recognized as the fastest, cleanest and most cost-effective and secure way to cut carbon emissions within the limited time we have. We commend the UAE for its continued energy transition leadership, and we are excited join forces in a strategic partnership to empower the most vulnerable countries around the world.”
The UAE-IRENA partnership was followed by a signing ceremony and a networking session, where diplomats and stakeholders were gathered to share valuable insights on the importance of collaboration in addressing the climate challenges to meet the global targets.
“Supporting developing countries on NDCs is fundamental to provide long-term policy certainty, attract investment and encourage private sector engagement in support of a just transition that brings socioeconomic opportunities to people and communities,” added Francesco La Camera.
