The annual International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Financial Times event is in its fourth consecutive year and included a Financial Times-IRENA Question Time Debate in which the international renewable energy agenda was discussed following the conclusion of IRENA’s annual Assembly.
“After the Paris climate conference in December, global focus is shifting from negotiation to action” said IRENA Director-General Adnan Z. Amin. “Leadership at all levels is key to achieve and surpass the emission reduction targets set forth in the Paris Agreement.”
Mr Amin added that the even provided a platform to engage in dialogue, build momentum, and chart a course for a renewable energy future.
The event also featured a a special address by Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General who spoke about the close partnership between the UN and IRENA since the Agency’s founding nearly five years ago. The welcome address by IRENA Director-General echoed the sentiment of strong collaboration between the two agencies to scale up renewable energy.
A panel discussion in the evening, hosted by Financial Times Environmental Correspondent Pilita Clark featured Christiana Figueres, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Executive Secretary; Henry Puna,Prime Minister of the Cook Islands; Miguel Arias Cañete, European Commissioner; Kyung-Ah Park, Managing Director, Head of Environmental Markets at Goldman Sachs & Co.
Panellists fielded questions on the policy, finance and innovation that can ensure the dramatic increase of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
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