More than 250 high-level government representatives from 86 countries gathered today in Abu Dhabi to attend the ninth meeting of the IRENA Council.

At the outset of the meeting, Mr. Upendra Tripathy, Secretary to the Government, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy from India and Mr. Mike Allen, Special Envoy for Renewable Energy from New Zealand were designated as Chair and Vice-Chair respectively of the Council meeting.

IRENA Director-General Adnan Z. Amin then presented a progress report on IRENA’s work.

For the remainder of the Council meeting, participants will discuss the 2016-2017 work programme of the Agency. Thematic sessions will also be held on renewable energy and climate change, the power sector transformation, renewable energy auctions, improving renewable energy data and information, and opportunities in the solar sector.

On the side lines of the Council, IRENA will launch several new reports including:

• Renewables and Electricity Storage
• Renewable Energy Target Setting
• Renewable Energy Auctions
• Renewable Energy in Latin America – An Overview of Policies

Composed of 21 IRENA Members, the Council meets twice annually to facilitate cooperation among Members, oversee implementation of the IRENA work programme and complete substantive preparations for the Assembly.