ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – The commencement of the 16th Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in Abu Dhabi this Saturday is occurring under the significant cloud of the United States’ decision to withdraw from this and 65 other international organizations. This move, announced by the Trump administration, represents a major shift in U.S. engagement with multilateral institutions, particularly those focused on climate and sustainable energy.
The assembly’s inaugural session, titled ‘Pathways for a Renewable Future across Latin America and Caribbean subregions,’ is expected to draw numerous Caribbean delegates, including energy ministers, to discuss regional energy transition strategies.
IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera expressed profound regret regarding the U.S. decision, emphasizing the nation’s historical role as a key stakeholder in advancing renewable energy through international cooperation. ‘Renewable energy is smart economics and will be the decisive factor in the competitiveness of economies,’ La Camera stated, highlighting renewables as a powerful catalyst for business opportunities, job creation, and technological innovation.
La Camera further articulated that the global energy transition offers a historic opportunity for nations to achieve substantial economic returns, from reducing power costs to strategic investments. He underscored that renewables are essential for ensuring energy security and strengthening geopolitical positions in today’s uncertain global environment.
The IRENA head affirmed the agency’s unwavering commitment to supporting countries and businesses in accelerating the global energy transition, delivering the socioeconomic, environmental, and security benefits of renewable energy. While acknowledging valuable U.S. contributions to IRENA’s work among its 171 members, La Camera left the door open for future renewed engagement.
The U.S. withdrawal, directed by President Trump and implemented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, targets organizations deemed ‘wasteful, ineffective, or harmful’ to American interests. Rubio’s statement characterized these institutions as redundant, mismanaged, poorly run, or threats to U.S. sovereignty and prosperity.
Among the entities from which the U.S. is withdrawing are several pivotal green energy and environmental organizations, including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), UN Energy, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature, signaling a comprehensive disengagement from global climate governance frameworks.