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Accelerating the Path to Tripling Renewable Energy Capacity at the 15th IRENA Assembly

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IRENA 15th Assembly

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - In early January, CCAP Research Analyst María Paula Viscardo Sesma attended the 15th Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) that took place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Maria Paula was honored as a Youth Delegate and Ambassador—chosen from a pool of 57,000 candidates worldwide—to participate in these high-level dialogues, contributing her perspective to the global discourse on the future of renewable energy.


As IRENA’s supreme decision-making body, the Assembly—comprising 170 member states—serves as a global platform for inclusive and diverse discussions addressing all aspects of the energy transition.


Following COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, this assembly provided a critical space to emphasize the essential role of renewable energy in advancing global climate action.


As the lead agency overseeing the progress towards the "3x" target of tripling renewable energy capacity, IRENA geared its discussions around the theme of "Accelerating the Renewable Energy Transition – The Path Forward." The agenda focused on:

  • Energy security

  • Socio-economic development

  • Innovative financing mechanisms to support this ambitious goal.


IRENA Youth Forum


IRENA Youth Forum

As part of the distinguished IRENA Youth Forum, María Paula also participated in the New Generation of Decision Makers, held at Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi. The forum aims to strengthen youth networks and foster connections among global leaders, government representatives and IRENA experts.


With representatives from over 50 countries, the Youth Forum focused on ensuring a just energy transition and leveraging renewable energy for innovation, action and impact. It served as a dynamic platform for discussions, debates, workshops and high-level plenaries, providing participants with the opportunity to lead and contribute to shaping a sustainable future.

María Paula Viscardo Sesma
“This experience, beyond being unique, allowed me to reflect deeply on the COP28 goal of tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency,” said Maria Paula. “Through various debates and workshops, I sought to understand whether achieving this ambitious target is truly feasible while ensuring Energy Justice. The transition will be just in developing countries, as long as it aligns with local communities’ perspectives, preserves ecosystems and creates and promotes local green jobs.”

The Youth Forum underscored the importance of youth leadership in advancing energy security, socio-economic development and innovative financing mechanisms, aligning with the findings of the Global Stocktake and the outcomes of both COP28 and COP29.


World Energy Summit


As part of Sustainability Week, the World Future Energy Summit was held at the ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi. IRENA hosted an interactive booth at the event, emphasizing the roles of the private sector, academia, NGOs and youth in driving the energy transition. Unlocking Finance for Renewable Energy Innovations remained a key focus of the discussions.

María Paula Viscardo Sesma

Youth delegates visited Noor Energy 1, the world’s tallest and highest-capacity solar thermal plant with extended storage capabilities.


Located in the heart of the desert, Noor Energy 1 is set to deliver 950 MW of clean solar power to the Emirate of Dubai, providing enough energy to power over 320,000 homes. This innovative facility will also reduce 1.6 million tons of carbon emissions annually, marking a significant milestone in sustainable energy.


“Having the opportunity to visit the plant and engage with project leaders on energy planning was incredibly enriching,” Maria Paula reflected. “It provided valuable insights into the capacity-building and financial gaps faced by developing countries and highlighted the urgent need for transferring innovative technologies.”


This visit exemplified the importance of collaboration, innovation and knowledge sharing in advancing global energy solutions for a sustainable future.


Aligning Our Efforts with the Future of Renewable Energy


This platform facilitated valuable exchanges with ambassadors, ministers, energy and climate change directors, as well as international organizations, enabling discussions on energy-focused projects aligned with CCAP's various areas of work.


This includes the Recycle Organics Program, which supports 21 beneficiary countries around the world, promoting waste-to-energy projects, such as biodigestion, which uses organic materials to contribute to the goal of mitigating climate change in two ways: the sustainable management of organic waste and generating clean, renewable energy.


Thus, the interactions highlighted the organization's commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions and fostering collaboration to address global energy challenges.


 

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CCAP’s mission is to support every step of climate action, from ambition to implementation. A recognized world leader in climate policy and action, CCAP creates innovative, replicable climate solutions, strengthens capacities, and promotes best practices across the local, national, and international levels to accelerate the transition to a net-zero, climate resilient future. CCAP was founded in 1985 and is based in Washington, DC. 

 

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