Communique adopted at Irena-Africa High Level Consultation

"It is significant that Irena's first international meeting following its founding Assembly in April was devoted to the needs of the African continent" said Irena Director General Adnan Amin. "The real test for Irena is to address the priority energy needs of the developing countries with renewable solutions. , Africa has enormous renewable energy potential, but it also a region whose potential has largely yet to be realized."

The consultations attracted over 27 ministers and a wide range of representatives of global and regional organizations with responsibility for renewable energy, as well as experts from civil society and the private sector. Discussion focused on articulating Africa's most urgent concerns and priorities, a process greatly facilitated by the open, frank and constructive spirit that prevailed throughout the meeting.

'We are confident that with Irena, we will leave the path of theoretical discussions and finally start with deployment of renewable energy,' added Louis Seck, Minister of Renewable Energies, Senegal. This sentiment was echoed by Adam Kighoma Ali Malima, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Energy and Minerals, Tanzania who said 'We need to identify the best way towards accessible energy, sustainable energy, and affordable energy.'

"The Irena-Africa consultations demonstrated both how committed the African countries are to Irena's success, and how much they count on Irena to assist them accelerate the uptake of renewable energy solutions that meet their development needs" said Dr Sultan Al-Jaber, President of the 1st Session of the Irena Assembly and head of the host country delegation. "It is clear from this meeting that Irena is moving in the right direction and soon will start making difference on the ground."