The 16th session of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly concluded in Abu Dhabi, UAE, with the adoption of IRENA’s Medium-term Strategy (2023–2027) Evaluation and Work Programme and Budget for 2026–27.
The Assembly witnessed record participation of over 1,500 ministers, government officials, CEOs and global partners, underlining IRENA’s central role in global energy transition discourse.
What is the IRENA Assembly?
The IRENA Assembly is the supreme decision-making body of IRENA, where member countries:
- Adopt work programmes and budgets
- Review and endorse strategic direction
- Reaffirm commitment to renewable energy transition
As of now, IRENA has 171 members, reflecting its growing global relevance.
Key outcomes of 16th IRENA Assembly
- Adoption of:
- Medium-term Strategy (2023–2027) Evaluation
- Work Programme and Budget for 2026–27
- Strong global consensus on accelerating renewable energy deployment as a pathway to:
- Climate mitigation
- Energy security
- Economic resilience
- Recognition that early movers in clean energy will gain long-term productivity and competitiveness advantages
- Reaffirmation of IRENA’s mandate as the world’s only intergovernmental body dedicated exclusively to renewable energy
Renewable Energy and Jobs – Annual Review 2025
On the sidelines of the Assembly, IRENA and the International Labour Organization (ILO) jointly released the Renewable Energy and Jobs – Annual Review 2025, highlighting employment trends in the clean energy sector.
Global findings
- Global renewable energy employment (2024): 16.6 million jobs
- Largest employer: Solar photovoltaic (PV) sector
- Dominant country: China
India-related findings
- Renewable energy employment: 1.3 million jobs
- Share: 7.7% of global RE jobs
- Global ranking:
- 2nd in Solar PV and Hydropower employment (after China)
- 4th in Wind and Liquid Biofuels employment
- Solar manufacturing:
- India holds 4.8% of global PV module manufacturing capacity
- Leading states:
- Gujarat – 42% of India’s module capacity
- Tamil Nadu – 11%
India at the 16th IRENA Assembly
India played a prominent role at the Assembly.
India’s national statement
While delivering India’s statement, Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, highlighted:
- Need for international cooperation to support developing countries in scaling up renewable energy without compromising development goals
- India’s commitment to:
- 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030
- Net Zero emissions by 2070
- Estimated investment requirement for India:
- Around USD 300 billion by 2030
- Opportunities across renewable generation, storage, green hydrogen, grids and manufacturing
India’s flagship initiatives highlighted
- PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana
- About 2.5 million households covered with rooftop solar in under two years
- Target: 10 million households by March 2027
- PM-KUSUM Scheme
- Beneficiaries: 2.17 million farmers
- Nearly 1 million standalone solar pumps installed
- Over 1.1 million grid-connected pumps solarised
- Added more than 10,200 MW of clean energy capacity
At an inter-ministerial dialogue convened by IRENA and FAO, India highlighted how farmers are becoming providers of both food and clean energy through distributed renewable solutions.
Significance of 16th IRENA Assembly
- Climate goals:
- Reinforces urgency to stay on 1.5°C-compatible pathways
- Energy security:
- Renewables reduce fossil fuel import dependence and price volatility
- Economic growth:
- Clean energy expansion boosts employment, industrial competitiveness and sustainable development
- Global cooperation:
- IRENA enables technology transfer, finance mobilisation and sharing of best practices
About International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
- Nature: Intergovernmental organisation
- Established: 2009 (Statute in force from 2010)
- Headquarters: Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Members: 170+ countries and the EU (India is a founding member)
- Key roles:
- Policy advice and technical assistance
- Capacity building for developing countries
- Tracking progress on the “UAE Consensus” adopted at COP28
- Major reports:
- World Energy Transitions Outlook
About International Labour Organization (ILO)
- Established: 1919 (as part of the Treaty of Versailles)
- Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
- Nature: United Nations specialised agency
- Unique feature: Tripartite structure
- Governments
- Employers
- Workers
Objectives
- Promote decent work for all
- Ensure social justice
- Improve working conditions and labour standards
Key functions
- Sets international labour standards through conventions and recommendations
- Conducts research and publishes reports on employment, wages and labour markets
- Provides technical assistance and capacity building to member countries
Membership
- 187 member states, including India
Relevance to renewable energy
- Co-publishes the Renewable Energy and Jobs reports with IRENA
- Analyses employment transitions linked to climate action and green energy