The German government supports the establishment of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). On the proposal of Federal Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel, the Federal Cabinet today agreed to sign the Statute on the founding of IRENA on 26 January 2009, and to adopt the resolution on establishing a Preparatory Commission. This Commission aims to lay the necessary groundwork for swiftly setting up the Agency. The establishment of IRENA was jointly advanced by the Federal Environment Ministry and Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, and closely coordinated with the Federal Foreign Office.
On 26 January, the Conference on the Establishment of IRENA will take place in Bonn. To date, 80 countries have confirmed their participation. Almost half of these countries plan to sign the Statute. Federal Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel, Federal Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul and Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier will represent the German government. The goal of this initiative, launched by Germany, Spain and Denmark and supported by many countries, is to promote the expansion of renewable energies worldwide and to serve as a platform for renewables, providing practical advice and assistance to both industrialised and developing countries. IRENA will be a driving force behind the rapid switch to renewable energies worldwide, and aims to close the gap between the enormous potential of renewables and their current relatively low share in final energy consumption. In this way the Agency will make an important contribution to foreign and security policy as well as to climate and development policy.
The first meeting of all the signatory states will take place in Bonn just one day after the founding conference, when the Preparatory Commission will convene for the first time.
The German government will also advocate locating the headquarters of IRENA in Bonn. The Cabinet has instructed the Federal Environment and Development Ministries to draw up an offer to host the Agency, to be submitted by the end of April this year.