Who can become a member of IRENA?
All States that are members of the United Nations can become members of IRENA. Regional intergovernmental economic integration organisations that are constituted by sovereign states, of which at least one is a member of IRENA and to which the Member States have transferred authority in at least one of the matters within the purview of IRENA, can also become members.
Will IRENA cooperate with existing initiatives in the field of renewable energy?
There are several organisations or initiatives that share IRENA’s aim to promote the use of renewable energy. Among these organisations and initiatives are the International Energy Agency (IEA), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), the World Bank, the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) and the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21). All of these organisations have different missions and operate in accordance with individual mandates and/or on particular levels (local, regional, global). In the interest of all countries that are members of several organisations, and taking into account the challenge of massive and rapid escalation of renewable energy cooperation among actors in the field, it is important to speed up implementation processes and avoid unnecessary duplication of work.
In order to establish close cooperation and build a foundation for trust-based relationships, the Interim Director-General of IRENA initiated contact immediately after her nomination in June 2009, and has since continued to meet and consult with IRENA’s stakeholders.
Will IRENA become an UN Organisation?
Given the founders’ ambitious time goal for the founding of IRENA, it was not a realistic option for IRENA to become a new United Nations or United Nations-affiliated organisation. Thus, it was decided that IRENA should be created as an independent organisation and swiftly commence operations. In the long term however, integrating IRENA into the United Nations should be considered.
How many states signed the Statute?
At present, IRENA has 149 Signatories. A full list can be found
here.
What is IRENA’s institutional design?
IRENA will have an Assembly which consists of all members, and epitomize the Agency’s supreme voice. On the one hand, a Council acting as IRENA’s consultative body and consisting of at least 11 but not more than 21 members will be elected by the Assembly. On the other hand, the Secretariat consisting of members of IRENA’s staff and headed by the Interim Director-General will crystallize the executive organ of IRENA.
How can I contact IRENA?
During the current initial phase you can contact IRENA using the
contact form on IRENA’s website.
How many people work for IRENA?
As of early July, 2010, 41 people have been recruited. They come from 26 nationalities. And gender balance has been reached: 50% of the team are women.
Detailed roadmap for the interim phase
How does IRENA’s Preparatory Commission operate?
The Preparatory Commission consists of IRENA’s Signatory States and acts as the interim institutional body, during the founding period. The task of the Preparatory Commission is to build up the organisation and fulfill IRENA’s renewable related tasks until the Statute enters into force and first Assembly is held.
How will IRENA continue to develop?
On 8 June 2010, the 25th country has ratified IRENA’s treaty. Thirty days later, on July 8th, IRENA’s statute enters into force and the Agency becomes a fully fledged international organization.