January 2012: A Special Edition of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Newsletter highlights the results of three events related to the future of sustainable energy use – the Pacific Leader’s Meeting, the Second Assembly of IRENA, and the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) – all of which focused on renewable energy strategies at regional and international levels.

The newsletter outlines progress achieved in three distinct meetings regarding the future of renewable energy. On the Pacific Leader’s Meeting, the newsletter highlights programs proposed to advance the switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy in the Pacific region, as well as region-wide energy initiatives, such as creating better information systems, supporting a sustainable renewable energy market, and collecting more data on land and water resources.

On the Second Assembly of IRENA, the Newsletter highlights that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced the start of the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All). It also notes that the Assembly approved IRENA’s 2012 work programme and budget, giving IRENA a substantial budget increase for renewable energy projects.

Finally, on the World Future Energy Summit, a forum in which various world leaders pledged their support for IRENA, the newsletter notes the event proved successful in terms of networking and forging connections among environmental policy leaders to work together for a more sustainable future. [Publication: IRENA Newsletter] [IISD RS Coverage of Second Assembly of IRENA] [IISD RS Coverage of World Future Energy Summit] [IISD RS Coverage of Pacific Leader’s Meeting]