The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) addressed the IRENA 30th Council Meeting on scaling green industrialisation via critical minerals and renewable energy supply chains. IRENA convened an event in Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital, to review progress on the Agency’s work and consider collective priorities to accelerate the global energy transition.
Preparations are underway for this year’s COP-30 in Brazil, as well as the 16th IRENA Assembly in January 2026. The Council also talked about the role of clean industrialisation in promoting sustainable development.
The Council also discussed the role of clean industrialisation in promoting sustainable development, such as increased resilience in critical materials and renewable energy supply chains. In his address, Ambassador Sesay stated that Sierra Leone, as the current holder of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Presidency, was grateful to the Secretariat for its presentation on critical energy transition minerals, while also expressing their willingness to collaborate with the Secretariat and other expert stakeholders to pilot the proposed global approach in the region. “Sierra Leone, like most ECOWAS countries, has significant mineral resources such as lithium, platinum, coltan, and zircon, among others, all of which are critical energy transition minerals not only in Sierra Leone but around the world. It is important to note that without them, our collective ambition to achieve a secure, affordable, and sustainable
The sustainable energy system will continue to be constrained,” he stated. The Sierra Leone Envoy went on to say that, with the right approach, IRENA has the potential to play a critical role as a repository of knowledge and a center of excellence where its member countries can come together to learn from one another and benefit from the Agency’s assistance in designing and implementing country-led critical mineral development strategies tailored to each member state’s context. Ambassador Sesay also informed the gathering that under the chairmanship of Sierra Leone, the ECOWAS member Ambassador Sesay also informed the audience that, under the chairmanship of Sierra Leone, ECOWAS member states would hold a Heads of State Summit that would include a thorough discussion of critical issues, particularly investment mobilization, the development of key value chains, and environmental, social, and governance considerations. Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA, stated that: “We have never been closer to closing the
Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA, stated, “We have never been closer to closing the gap and achieving the goal; they mark a new global deployment record for a third consecutive year, narrowing the gap.”
However, governments must take the initiative and make COP30 in Brazil a watershed moment for renewable energy. With new NDCs due before COP30, this 30th IRENA Council is an important moment to highlight the need for greater collective ambition.”
