30 September 2014: The International Energy Agency (IRENA) and UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation to increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix and promote access to affordable and clean energy. The MoU provides a framework for cooperation between the two organizations on projects and activities, exchange of information and enhanced public dialogue.

Areas of cooperation included in the MoU on renewable energy include: facilitation of intergovernmental dialogue; exchange of know-how and best practice among experts, including on deployment, market opening and financing; promotion of standards to support technologies; analysis of technology costs; capacity building; and the support for policy and regulatory reform.

Speaking at the signing, IRENA Director-General Adnan Amin said the agreement would “provide an effective platform for engaging UNECE’s member States in IRENA’s broad knowledge framework, designed to advance the deployment of renewable energy worldwide and build a sustainable energy future.”

A further element of the cooperation will comprise expert discussions on a roadmap for the UNECE region towards the UN Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) goal of doubling the share of renewables by 2030. The dialogue, which will also seek to identify relevant obstacles, gaps and opportunities at various levels, will be initiated with the first session of the UNECE Group of Experts on Renewable Energy, to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 18-19 November 2014.

The MoU was signed shortly after the 2014 UN Climate Summit, held on 23 September in New York, US. [IRENA Press Release] [UNECE Press Release] [Memorandum of Understanding between UNECE and IRENA] [UNECE Group of Experts on Renewable Energy Website]