The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) takes off

In 2010, IRENA will set out to establish itself as the global information base for renewable energy knowledge. Collecting, generating and sharing knowledge about renewable energy will be a central activity of the Agency.

IRENA will act as a clearing house, informing about existing renewable energy technologies that have worked well in the past and could be deployed globally as well as about promising innovative technologies.

IRENA will start advising its Members in the field of successful policies and financial schemes to promote renewables as well as related capacity building and training programmes.

With an adopted budget of $13,7m for 2010, IRENA will focus on building a network of international renewable energy experts, starting to map the global potential of renewables and build up a comprehensive database of policies to promote renewable energy.

Hélène Pelosse, Interim Director-General of IRENA: "IRENA will become a one-stop-shop for up-to-date and relevant information on renewable energy. With this knowledge, IRENA will assist its members in advancing renewables in their own national policies and programmes."

Kyrgyzstan, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and South Africa signed the Statute of IRENA during the conference. During his speech, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al Nayan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates announced that Saudi Arabia is planning to become a Member of IRENA. The Agency's membership almost doubled since 75 countries founded IRENA in January last year.

To date with 142 Signatories, almost three quarters of the UN membership have signed IRENA's Statute. This broad acceptance reflects the importance states worldwide give to the production and use of renewable energy. Pelosse underlines: "The creation of IRENA is just one example of a new spirit of global cooperation."

After member states decision on IRENA's staff rules, all is set for recruitment. Hélène Pelosse: "We will bring the most talented renewable energy experts on board. Without even advertising for vacant positions, IRENA received more than 500 applications - 41% of them are women.

"At her nomination as Interim Director-General of IRENA, Pelosse had announced that she is determined to hire 50% women. IRENA will become the first international organisation to reach gender parity. Pelosse states: "Following the example of Her Highness Sheikha Fatma, the wife of the late Highness Sheikh Zayed, I want to empower women."