The Malta Communique calls on IRENA to assist islands by, inter alia: establishing a Global Renewable Energy Island Network to provide a knowledge pooling and sharing platform; identifying available financing mechanisms and supporting the development of innovative financing models; assessing the suitability of relevant technologies for different island environments and provide advice on technology choices; developing project guidelines to address island-specific topics and methodologies for integrating renewables in sustainable tourism, transport and other industries and services in islands; and advising on renewable energy applications for sustainable water management.
9 September 2012: The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Renewables and Islands Global Summit, which took place from 6-7 September 2012, in Malta, brought together more than 130 representatives from IRENA member States, including ministers from 14 member States and participants from international organizations and the private sector.
The two-day Summit featured panel presentations and general discussions on: the implications of the outcome from the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) for island sustainable development and renewable energy; island energy trends and strategies; strategic partnerships; and enabling frameworks for investment. A session on best practices and challenges provided the opportunity for participants to share case-study experiences from different regions.
On the final day, participants discussed and adopted the Malta Communiqué on accelerating renewable energy uptake for islands, which includes proposed actions for future IRENA assistance to islands. The Communique calls on IRENA to assist islands by: establishing a Global Renewable Energy Island Network to provide a knowledge pooling and sharing platform; assisting the formulation of business cases for renewables deployment, with the involvement of the private sector; identifying available financing mechanisms and supporting the development of innovative financing models; assessing the suitability of relevant technologies for different island environments and provide advice on technology choices; assessing renewable energy potential, including through RRAs, and assisting in the creation of enabling environment for investment; facilitating capacity building; developing project guidelines to address island-specific topics and methodologies for integrating renewables in sustainable tourism, transport and other industries and services in islands; and advising on renewable energy applications for sustainable water management. [IISD RS coverage of the Summit] [Meeting website and documents]