ARMENIA BECOMES FULL MEMBER OF IRENA

ARKA
Feb 25, 2010

YEREVAN, February 25, /ARKA/. Armenian parliament ratified today
the Charter of International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is an intergovernmental
organization for promoting the adoption of renewable energy worldwide.

It aims to provide concrete policy advice and facilitate capacity
building and technology transfer.

IRENA was formed on January 26, 2009, by 75 countries signing its
charter. As of January 2010, IRENA had 141 member states, who all are
considered as founding members. The head office of the organization
is in Abu Dhabi. The aim is to have the agency fully operational by
the end of 2010 with an initial annual budget of US$25 million by 2011.

A deputy energy minister Areg Galstian said mandated by governments
worldwide, IRENA aims to become the main driving force in promoting
a rapid transition towards the widespread and sustainable use of
renewable energy on a global scale.

He said Armenia’s membership in the organization replicated from
the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will allow it to get
access to practical advice and support, help it improve its regulatory
frameworks and build capacity. The agency will facilitate access to
all relevant information including reliable data on the potential of
renewable energy, best practices, effective financial mechanisms and
state-of-the-art technological expertise. He said the membership fee
is $500.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress