How we won Irena, and why it's only a beginning

01b576f94d868210VgnVCM100000e56411acRCRDapproved/thenational/Articles/Migration/2009-Q3How we won Irena, and why it's only a beginningf0b576f94d868210VgnVCM100000e56411ac____How we won Irena, and why it's only a beginning

Much media attention has been focused on the success last week of the UAE's bid to host the headquarters of Irena.

Much media attention has been focused on the success last week of the UAE's bid to host the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena). But there remains an untold story of the journey behind the achievement that has lessons for us all. It is a story of leadership, commitment and determination - qualities that lie at the very foundations of the UAE. The journey began when the UAE joined Irena in January. From the outset the country's leadership emphasised to us that success depended on substantial research, planning, follow-up and complete commitment. A high-level working team was created, chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, and comprising ministers, ambassadors, diplomats and Masdar executives. The team visited more than 100 developed and developing nations to explain why this country is best placed to host the agency and how it is committed to the cause of renewable energy, led by the multi-faceted Masdar Initiative. Without doubt these discussions merited both the exceptional effort and diplomatic weight that facilitated them. They enabled us to fully understand the nature and needs of each country, strengthening the bonds of cooperation while exploring areas of common interest for future action. More importantly, they helped to present the true image of the UAE to many countries that were unaware of our rapid development. As a consequence I can state with confidence that the UAE has strengthened its position by listening as well as talking to our neighbours. One of the most pleasing aspect of the Irena experience was the national pride and collective national spirit evoked while the team described the qualities that define the UAE. Words cannot describe the efforts that the team made, or the positive spirit that characterised its work. The efficiency and enthusiasm of all team members was hugely inspiring. When the announcement came that we had won, I will never forget the shouts of joy and sense of satisfaction in what we had achieved. But with all that came an awareness that this was a culmination of efforts and wise policy-making that began long before the creation of the Irena working team. The leaders of this country have continually demonstrated a genuine commitment to sustainability, as exemplified by the establishment of the Masdar Initiative on renewable energy. The UAE was one of the first countries to ratify the Kyoto Treaty, which limits carbon emissions to reduce global warming, and the first country to ratify Irena's establishment. The Zayed Future Energy Prize, the World Future Energy Summit, the Masdar Institute for Science and Technology, Masdar City - the first of its kind in the world - and the investments and global activities of Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company are but a few examples of the importance the Government places on energy sustainability, epitomised by the commitment to source 7 per cent of total energy needs from renewables by 2020. The Irena success is an outstanding achievement by any cultural, technological or diplomatic standard. It breaks the convention that international agency headquarters are housed exclusively in the developed world, and I hope other developing nations can be as ambitious and focused as the UAE in pursuit of an active role in addressing the challenging issues that face the modern world. With its position linking this region with the rest of the world's efforts to develop renewable energy technology and solutions, the UAE will bear great responsibility. I am certain that our approach to this role will be as diligent and effective as the Irena campaign itself. The countries of our region, as developing nations, will benefit from Irena's renewable energy projects because the organisation will give priority to developing countries in all its projects. This was a key determining factor in our Government's offer of practical help in hosting the organisation. Facilities, privileges and financial support for Irena were all features of the UAE's bid. This included support from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development for projects in countries deemed more in need of renewable energy sources. As an indication of this support, for the first seven years of the agency's life the Fund has offered Irena $50 million a year in soft loans. Beyond financial support, thanks to the unique and advanced study and research arm that is Masdar Institute for Science and Technology, which offered Irena 20 full scholarships, and with the other Masdar units creating a complete innovation life-cycle, Irena will be more than just hosted at Masdar City: it will have every possible means to live, breathe and flourish in an environment uniquely suited to it. It is with this magnificent prospect at the very heart of our region that I get the sense that the real journey is only starting. So what is next? With Irena we showed that hard work, organised efforts and commitment to the cause pay off. There is no limit to what these qualities can achieve with the countries of the region and further afield. Dialogue is a language that must never be underestimated. We look forward to future generations who appreciate the concepts of sustainability and environmental responsibility as global citizens. We want and need them to be fully aware of the significance of renewable energy, with initial steps already taken through the Ministry of Education and Masdar to make the science of sustainability and renewable energy part of the school curriculum. Through Irena and Masdar the UAE opens its doors to common action and innovative ideas on sustainable energy. We hope contributions will come from within the Arab region as an expression of our awareness of the future and culture of energy and sustainability. Of course we recognise we are one of the biggest producers of traditional energy. But we have already begun the process of transformation towards a more sustainable environment and economy. This will remain our goal, a goal we seek for ourselves, for our brothers in the region, and for all countries that share our vision of the future of energy. The Irena success is the natural harvest of what our late leader, Sheikh Zayed, planted. The challenge for us all is to remain faithful and continue the journey that he started when he established the foundations of environmental protection, ensuring the sustainable development of our country.

OPINION

20090709000000

100

http://adedit.ad.atl.publicus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090709/OPINION/707099980

707099980

20090709100000000

64239d07a3a68210VgnVCM100000e56411ac____

f0b576f94d868210VgnVCM100000e56411ac____

1baee24a90458210VgnVCM200000e66411acRCRD

70e21b709f178210VgnVCM100000e56411ac____

f0b576f94d868210VgnVCM100000e56411ac____

1b03c3ac18868210VgnVCM100000e56411acRCRD

526cb39b90278210VgnVCM200000e66411ac____

f0b576f94d868210VgnVCM100000e56411ac____

f68b3f299e868210VgnVCM200000e66411acRCRD