On 24 and 25 October, 400 delegates from more than 100 countries will be accompanied by 20 ministers in Abu Dhabi for the fourth session of IRENA’s Preparatory Commission. While there will be much to discuss at the event, Helene Pelosse’s departure will undoubtedly be on everybody’s lips, coming as it has, out of the blue.
Pelosse’s abrupt departure as IRENA’s Interim Director General after only 15 months in the post has been especially surprising considering she made recent declarations to local media in Abu Dhabi that she intended to lead the organisation for some time. On 29 July she had told Abu Dhabi's The National newspaper that “IRENA is like a baby. It’s an organisation that didn’t exist so you had to build it up, you had to set it up. It’s a long-term process”.
According to The National, IRENA has been struggling for some time with budgetary issues and financing, but did not specify Pelosse’s reasons for leaving. It went on to say that the agency's Interim Director General, who was interviewed exclusively by Renewable Energy Magazine exactly a year ago, will be replaced at the agency meeting next week.
Today Associated Press said that a spokesperson for the agency, Agathe Remoue, had refused to comment on the resignation or confirm that Pelosse had stepped down. She said the agency would discuss the issue at a press conference on 25 October.
2011 Work Programme
Aside from discussing Pelosse’s replacement, next week’s Preparatory Commission will look at propositions for the 2011 Work Programme and its budget. In a press release, IRENA said: “The current discussions are based on a $18 million budget. 38% of it will come from the Member States, 42% from the Bid agreement with the United Arab Emirates. Finally, 14% will come from the German Bid and 6% from the Austrian Bid for the Bonn Innovation & Technology Center and the Vienna Liaison Office”.
IRENA will also make decisions about the First Assembly. On 8 July, IRENA became a fully fledged international organisation and therefore needs to define its permanent institutions. The draft rules and procedures for the election of the Council and Assembly, its final decision organs will be defined during the Preparatory Commission.
The procedure for the election of the Director General will also be decided upon and in addition, the date of the First assembly will be put forward.
Additional topics to be covered include discussions on the Headquarters agreement to define the relationship between the international organisation and its host country, and the presentation of the winner of the “Solar for All” Design Contest, Greenlight Planet. Peter Heller, executive Director of the Canopus Foundation, will present the contest and Greenlight Planet,a US start-up company that won the design contest with its innovative solar-powered lamps.
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