DHAKA, June 14, 2024 (BSS) - Bangladesh has been elected Vice Chair of the 27th Council of International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the second highest body of the Agency comprising 168 countries and the EU.
 
The two-day council meeting commenced yesterday in Abu Dhabi, where representatives from more than 100 countries have gathered to discuss the current state of investments in renewable energy and partnerships and explore best practices in energy transition, said an official handout here today.
 
Bangladesh, represented by Mohamed Abu Zafar, Permanent Representative to IRENA and Ambassador to the UAE, in his capacity as Vice Chair, chaired an important session of the council meeting titled 'De-risking investments towards realizing SDG7' today.
 
A five-member Bangladesh delegation led by the Ambassador, representatives from the Power Division and the officials from the Bangladesh Embassy in Abu Dhabi are attending the Council.

In the National Statement made in the Council, Bangladesh has set a bold and ambitious target to install about 30 GW of renewable energy capacities by 2041.

This target, which requires at least 30 billion USD investment, is a clear demonstration of our country's commitment to a sustainable and green future.

Bangladesh has urged IRENA and associated bodies to facilitate necessary funding, capacity building, and technology transfer to help to achieve this goal.

On the sideline of the council meeting, the Bangladesh delegation also held a bilateral meeting with the Director (Country Engagement & Partnership), IRENA to discuss the progress of the Renewable Readiness Assessment currently underway by IRENA, Flexibility Analyses, Funding from ETAF (Energy Transition Accelerated Financing) and private sectors' engagement with IRENA to achieve the national targets in renewable energy.

In recent years, Bangladesh has significantly increased its engagements with IRENA, a testament to our country's commitment to renewable energy.

Bangladesh was elected as a Council member of IRENA for the year 2024 and a member of the Administrative and Financial Committee for the term 2024-2025.
 
This year, in coordination with the Power Division, IRENA has initiated the Renewable Readiness Assessment for Bangladesh, a crucial step in understanding our country's potential for renewable resources.