The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) (hereinafter – the Agency), established in 2009, is an intergovernmental organization that promotes the increased use of renewable energy worldwide and advances knowledge and technologies in this field.
The Agency was established at the initiative of the Government of Germany on 26 January 2009 in Bonn. At the founding conference, 75 states signed the Statute of the Agency. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) served as a model for the creation of the new organization.
On 25 October 2010, IRENA and the United Arab Emirates signed the Headquarters Agreement for hosting the Agency in Abu Dhabi. The Statute of the organization entered into force on 8 July 2010. Currently, 168 states are members of IRENA, while 16 states are in the process of accession.
One of the Agency’s main agenda items is supporting countries in transitioning to a sustainable energy future and promoting the widespread and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy, including bioenergy, geothermal energy, hydropower, ocean energy, solar energy and wind energy. The Agency provides governments with practical tools and policy advice to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy.
The Agency’s principal event is the Assembly, held annually in January in Abu Dhabi. The Assembly is considered the Agency’s highest decision-making body and brings together heads of state, ministers, government officials, representatives of the private sector, civil society and other international organizations to review the global renewable energy agenda and take concrete steps to accelerate the global energy transition.
Cooperation between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Kazakhstan became a full member of IRENA following the ratification of the Agency’s Statute on 22 March 2013. On 14 January 2015, the first Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to IRENA was accredited. At present, the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the UAE, R. Zhumabek, concurrently serves as the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to IRENA.
In January 2015, during the Agency’s Assembly, the Republic of Kazakhstan was elected Vice-President of the Assembly, while Japan chaired the session. Within the framework of Kazakhstan’s participation in the Assembly, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Kazakh Association of Oil, Gas and Energy Sector Organizations “KAZENERGY” and IRENA. The IRENA delegation took an active part in EXPO 2017. On 11 June 2017, within the framework of the IRENA meeting with Energy Ministers of Central Asian countries, a communiqué on the operational implementation of renewable energy in Central Asia was adopted.
The IRENA delegation participated in the regional seminar on renewable energy in Central Asia held on 14–15 March 2019 in Astana. Competent state bodies and private organizations of Kazakhstan actively participate in the Agency’s Assembly on an annual basis. In particular, representatives of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Association “KAZENERGY”, the International Center for Green Technologies and Investment Projects, the Financial Settlement Center for Renewable Energy Support LLP and the United Nations Development Programme participated in the Assembly held on 11–12 January 2020 in Abu Dhabi.
In addition, for the first time, youth issues were included in the Assembly’s agenda. On 10 January 2020, the youth forum “New Generation of Solution Makers” was held, providing young people with an opportunity to contribute to the global energy discourse. With the support of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in the UAE, M. Karbayev, a student of the S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical University, actively participated in the forum.
IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera participated and delivered an online speech at the XIV Eurasian Forum KAZENERGY on the themes “World Energy Week-2021” and “Energy for Better Lives”, held from 4 to 8 October 2021 in Astana. Representatives of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan took part in the 12th Session of the Assembly held on 15–16 January 2022 in a videoconference format. On 14–15 January 2023 in Abu Dhabi, the Kazakh delegation headed by Vice Minister of Energy Zh. Nurmagambetov participated in the 13th Session of the Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency. Delegates from 168 countries attended the Assembly. The Vice Minister of Energy of Kazakhstan delivered a statement at the plenary session of the Assembly. He emphasized that considerable attention is being paid to renewable energy sources in the country. According to him, Kazakhstan has a firm intention to become a carbon-neutral country by 2060, as well as to follow the Sustainable Development Goals and fulfill obligations under the Paris Agreement. In the long term, Kazakhstan intends to diversify its energy sources. On 12 April 2023, the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the UAE, M. Menilbekov, held bilateral talks with Francesco La Camera. In June 2023, within the framework of the Astana International Forum, the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan organized a side event on “Development of Renewable Energy in the Region: Alternative Solutions for Ensuring Energy Security”. Speakers at the session included Minister of Energy of Kazakhstan Almassadam Satkaliyev, Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan Parviz Shahbazov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Tajikistan to the Republic of Kazakhstan Khairullo Ibodzoda, and Deputy Director of the Country Engagement and Partnerships Department of IRENA, Binu Parthan.
In addition, within the framework of the Forum, Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan Almassadam Satkaliyev signed roadmaps for the implementation of renewable energy projects. * Roadmap for the construction of a 1 GW wind power plant with an energy storage system in the Zhambyl region jointly with China Power International Holding Limited (PRC); * Roadmap for the construction of up to 1 GW wind power plants with energy storage systems in the Zhambyl and Kostanay regions jointly with Masdar (UAE); * Roadmap for the construction of a 1 GW wind power plant with an energy storage system in the Dzungarian Gate area of the Zhetysu region jointly with ACWA Power Company (UAE). Also within the framework of the Astana International Forum, Minister of Energy A. Satkaliyev held a bilateral meeting with IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera. During the meeting, the parties discussed further cooperation between Kazakhstan and IRENA, as well as the development of renewable energy potential in Kazakhstan. The parties discussed the current areas of the Agency’s activities in Kazakhstan, including advisory support regarding financing of renewable energy projects, facilitation of technology transfer, promotion of capacity-building among member states and support for relevant partnerships. They also discussed IRENA’s major initiatives, including the Global Atlas for Renewable Energy and the renewable energy roadmap “REmap 2030”. In 2024, the 14th Session of IRENA was held in two parts: the first part on 15 January 2024 in a virtual format, during which administrative, institutional and programmatic issues shaping the Agency’s future work were discussed, and the second part on 16–18 April 2024 in Abu Dhabi (UAE). The main theme was “COP28 Outcomes: Infrastructure, Policies and Skills for Tripling Renewable Energy Capacity and Accelerating the Energy Transition”. This session brought together government representatives, energy industry leaders and international organizations to discuss practical measures for accelerating renewable energy deployment following the COP28 climate conference. From 15 to 18 April 2024, the Fifth Youth Forum of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) was held in Abu Dhabi under the slogan “New Generation of Decision Makers”. The Forum formed part of the 14th Session of the IRENA Assembly held on the same dates. The IRENA Youth Forum 2024 aimed to strengthen youth networks and enhance their interaction with global innovation leaders, government representatives and IRENA experts. The Forum provides young people with an opportunity to contribute to the Agency’s mission of accelerating renewable energy deployment in order to achieve climate goals and promote sustainable development. Through a series of interactive sessions, including open dialogues and thematic workshops, participants were able to bring a youth perspective into the global energy discourse. The event seeks broad and balanced geographical representation of youth. Organizers encourage applications from young people from least developed countries, small island developing states and developing countries. On 2 July 2024 in Abu Dhabi, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the UAE N. Mukhametaliuly met with IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera and presented his credentials. During the meeting, the parties discussed strengthening partnership between Kazakhstan and the organization. The parties also addressed the issue of opening an IRENA representative office in Kazakhstan. According to F. La Camera, the key role in this matter belongs to member states rather than the Secretariat. In the event of Kazakhstan’s genuine interest, he recommended officially submitting a request to the Assembly. On 11 January 2025 in Abu Dhabi, Kazakhstan participated in the IRENA Assembly represented by Zhaslan Kassenov, Director of the Renewable Energy Department of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan presented a portfolio of 153 renewable energy facilities with a total capacity of 3,032 MW. Measures for renewable energy development, investment incentives, long-term contracts, tariffs and targets for 2030 and 2050 (15% renewable energy by 2030 and 50% by 2050) were also presented. The role of market reforms, as well as legislative and institutional conditions for sustainable growth of the renewable energy sector, was emphasized. On 2 October 2025, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan and IRENA signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at developing international cooperation. The signing ceremony took place within the framework of the XVI Eurasian Forum KAZENERGY Kazakhstan Energy Week-2025, held in Astana from 2 to 4 October 2025. The document was signed by Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan Y. Nysanbayev and IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera. On 10–12 January 2026, the 16th Session of the IRENA Assembly entitled “Powering Humanity: Renewable Energy for Shared Prosperity” was held in Abu Dhabi. The main topics of the session included national and international strategies for accelerating renewable energy deployment and achieving sustainable development goals, monitoring global targets (updated data and forecasts under the “UAE Consensus” – the international agreement on tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030), support for wind and geothermal energy, synergies between solar projects and environmental protection, energy solutions in agri-food chains, modernization of grids and energy storage systems, as well as innovation and the role of digitalization (including artificial intelligence). The session was attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the UAE, R. Zhumabek.