The 16th International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly will take place from 10 to 12 January 2026 in Abu Dhabi. It will be the first major global energy meeting of the year, bringing together governments, industry leaders and international partners to discuss the future of renewable energy. Held under the theme “Powering Humanity: Renewable Energy for Shared Prosperity,” the Assembly is expected to welcome around 1,500 ministers and senior delegates from IRENA’s 171 Member States. Participants will also include CEOs, investors, global organisations and youth representatives. Their goal is to shape a collective agenda and build stronger international cooperation to advance the global energy transition in 2026.
Throughout the three days, the Assembly will explore a wide range of topics linked to the clean energy transformation. Key discussions will include regional approaches to energy transition, modernising power grids, better energy planning, and the role of digital technologies and artificial intelligence. Financing the transition will be another major theme, especially in areas such as sustainable aviation fuels.
Delegates will also examine how renewable energy can strengthen agri-food systems and support green industrial growth. IRENA’s Director-General, Francesco La Camera, noted that although renewable energy deployment continues to expand worldwide, progress remains uneven. He emphasised that the Assembly aims to bring practical, real-world solutions to the forefront so that countries at all stages of development can benefit from cleaner, more resilient energy systems.
Bojan Kumer, Slovenia’s Minister for the Environment, Climate and Energy and President of the 15th IRENA Assembly, reaffirmed IRENA’s role as a trusted and unifying platform for global renewable energy cooperation. He stated that the Agency has overcome significant challenges in the past year and is ready to continue supporting sustainable growth and long-term economic stability worldwide.
Representing the incoming Presidency of the 16th Assembly, Betty Soto, Deputy Minister of Innovation and Energy Transition of the Dominican Republic, spoke about the importance of renewable energy for Small Island Developing States. She highlighted her country’s progress, including the Sargassum-to-Energy initiative, and expressed the commitment to leading an Assembly that is inclusive, member-driven and focused on a just and sustainable transition.
As IRENA’s highest decision-making body, the Assembly has become an important global platform for diverse and inclusive discussions on all aspects of the energy transition. This year’s meeting will also mark the 6th World Energy Transition Day, beginning on 11 January 2025 with a High-level Dialogue titled “Reimagining Energy Futures: Bold Visions for Shared Prosperity.
”To build momentum for the upcoming sessions, several ministerial and high-level events are being held on 10 January 2025 as part of the Pre-Assembly Day. These early discussions will help shape the Agency’s future priorities and strengthen cooperation among decision-makers. The 16th Assembly will also officially open the 2026 edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, held from 11 to 15 January. During this week, heads of state, ministers, experts and leaders from around the world will continue conversations on accelerating global sustainability and driving meaningful climate and energy solutions.
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