25 October 2008: Over 50 countries met in Madrid, Spain, from 23-24 October 2008 for the final preparatory conference for the establishment of an International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

Participants finalized discussions on the statute of an IRENA, as well as on procedures and criteria for selecting IRENA’s interim Director-General and interim headquarters, paving the way for IRENA’s founding conference, to be held on 26 January 2009, in Bonn, Germany. A Preparatory Commission was established as interim body of IRENA, and its first meeting will be held on 27 January, the day after the founding conference. General agreement was expressed on the scope of IRENA’s initial activities.

The work programme will be further developed between the founding conference and the second meeting of the preparatory commission in June 2009. Emphasis will be placed on: providing, upon request, policy advice for national governments; facilitating technology transfer; and building capacity. The agency will work in close coordination with other related international organizations. [IRENA Website]