ABU DHABI 16 January 2025 — The Philippines actively participated in the 15th session of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly and Related Meetings in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 11 to 13 January 2025 with the delegation highlighting the energy transition strategies and achievements of the Philippine government towards achieving renewable energy goals.
Headed by Philippine Ambassador to the UAE and Permanent Representative to the IRENA, Alfonso A. Ver, the Philippine representatives showcased the milestones of the Philippine government in its energy transition agenda and called for strengthened international cooperation to address the cost of the technology in renewable energy projects to achieve sustainable growth.
“The Philippines recognizes that energy transition is a shared responsibility and the platforms provided by IRENA and its partners gives opportunity for the collaboration of the public and private sectors to advance renewable energy goals,” Ambassador Ver said. “Our country is committed to its energy transition goals and the government has set the policies and frameworks that will move the renewable energy agenda forward,” he added.
During the delivery of the General Member Statements, Department of Energy Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevarra highlighted that accelerating renewable energy development and utilization is a key energy transition strategy of the Philippines along with the building of a smart and green grid, development of ports for offshore wind, voluntary early retirement or re-purposing of coal-fired power plants, energy efficiency and conservation, and the de-carbonization of the transport sector. She emphasized that to achieve the goal of 35% share of renewables in the energy mix by 2030 and 50% by 2050, new renewable energy capacity of 52.8 GW is needed by the Philippines with investments from the private sector. Undersecretary Guevarra added that the Philippines looks to international cooperation to help address the costs on the use of renewable energy to make sure that while pursuing sustainable development, the socio-economic aspect is also addressed.
The Philippines House of Representatives (HOR) also participated in the Legislators Forum of the 15th Assembly of IRENA. The HOR delegation joined the Legislators Forum under the theme “Legislative Pathways for the UAE Consensus: Tripling Renewables and Doubling Efficiency” that looked at insights into integrating the renewable energy goals into National Determined Contributions (NDCs), addressing financial barriers and fostering regional cooperation. Representative Allan U. Ty (LPGMA, Party-List), the Vice Chairperson of the HOR Committee on Energy (COE), headed the HOR delegation to the 15th IRENA Assembly. He was joined by Representative Laarni Lavin Roque (4th District, Bukidnon), Member of the HOR-COE, and HOR-COE Secretary Melanie Anain.
On the sidelines of the Assembly, the Philippine delegation met with IRENA officials, counterpart agencies, country officials and industry organizations to advance the renewable energy agenda including the Global Alliance on Green Economy of the World Green Economy Organization (GAGE-WGEO), the Global Offshore Wind Alliance (GOWA), UK’s Special Representative for Climate Rachel Kyte and the Korea Energy Agency (KEA).
The 15th IRENA Assembly and Related Meetings in Abu Dhabi on 11 to 13 January 2025 saw the participation of representatives from 170 member states, academia, financial institutions, energy companies and the youth. This year’s Assembly is bannered with the theme “Accelerating the Renewable Energy Transition – The Way Forward.” END
Philippine Ambassador to the UAE and Philippine Permanent Representative to IRENA, H.E. Alfonso A. Ver (3rd from left) with the Philippine delegation to the 15th Assembly of the IRENA in Abu Dhabi. (Abu Dhabi PE photo)
DOE Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara (right) delivers the statement for the Philippines at the 15th Assembly of the IRENA. WIth her is Deputy Head of Mission of the Philippine Embassy to the UAE Arvic V. Arevalo. (Abu Dhabi PE photo)