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Founding the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
The German establishment of IRENA has received positive feedback. Consultations with representatives from countries worldwide in 2007 demonstrated a high level of interest for the proposed initiative. Strongly supported by Spain and Denmark, the German government organised two international meetings in 2008 with the goal of enhancing the preparation process for the founding of IRENA. More than 50 countries supported this idea. During the preparatory conference in April 2008, the first activities for the agency were developed in conjunction with the first drafts on the possible structure for IRENA. In June/July 2008 statutes, the financing and the initial activities of IRENA were intensely discussed within two parallel workshops.
Final Preparatory Conference
Founding Conference Following the Final Preparatory Conference, the statutes will be sent to all member countries of the United Nations, inviting them to participate and become a founding member of the agency in the Founding Conference of IRENA on the 26th and 27th of January, 2009 in Bonn, Germany.
At the Founding Conference, countries interested in joining will sign the IRENA statutes. In order to allow a quick start, countries are asked to make financial pledges. These voluntary contributions will cover the agencies work until the statutes enter into force and the regular budget is available.
In the margins of the Founding Conference, countries that have signed will agree on a procedure and substantial criteria for applications for the preliminary seat of the Secretariat and the agency’s preliminary Director-General. This ensures that a transparent application and selection process will occur.
IRENA’s Initial Phase The initial phase starts with the Founding Conference when IRENA’s statutes will be signed and continues until member countries have ratified the statutes according to their respective national constitutions (with the deposit of a quorum of ratification documents). Considering the magnitude and urgency of the tasks ahead, it is indispensable that the agency commences with its activities as quickly as possible. Effective working structures will be established to start operating immediately. In June 2009, those countries that will have signed the treaty will decide on the preliminary seat of the Secretariat and the agency’s preliminary Director-General. The Director-General will then begin to build up the agency without delay, to ensure its visibility on the international level.
Entry into Force of IRENA’s Statutes
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