Foreign Minister Dr. A K Abdul Momen has reiterated Bangladesh’s all-out support to encourage innovative and affordable applications of renewable technologies.

He made this remark during the meeting with Francesco La Camera, Director General of International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) at its secretariat in Abu Dhabi on Friday (11 February).

Appreciating the remarkable works done by IRENA under the leadership of the Director General in advancing the renewable energy agenda, Foreign Minister expressed Bangladesh’s full support to IRENA and its works with a view to encouraging the innovative and affordable application of renewable technologies. 

“Bangladesh has been closely working with IRENA and is fully engaged in IRENA's activities,” he noted.

Foreign Minister said Bangladesh has been elected as one of the Vice-Presidents in the twelfth session of the Assembly that was held in mid-January 2022 and is also working as a facilitator for the nomination of the Council Members for the next IRENA Council 2023-2024. Bangladesh also served in the Credential Committee for the past two consecutive Assemblies, mentioned the Minister.

Highlighting the achievements of Bangladesh in the area of renewable energy, Abdul Momen said, “at the CoP 26 in Glasgow, being the current chair of Climate Vulnerability Forum (CVF) and Vulnerable Twenty Group (V20) Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced her vision to develop up to 40% clean energy by 2041 and to a gradual reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions by way of NDCs.”

Foreign minister sought  IRENA’s technical and financial support to Bangladesh in undertaking the feasibility study and mapping of the renewable energy potentials in Bangladesh.

Foreign Minister requested the Director General of IRENA to facilitate employment opportunities for Bangladeshi nationals at different capacities in the IRENA Secretariat.

Both sides expressed satisfaction at the very constructive meeting. Foreign minister extended an invitation to the Director General to visit Bangladesh in combination with his participation in next month’s golden jubilee celebration of the independence of Bangladesh.