WAM reported that the International Renewable Energy Agency and the World Meteorological Organization have signed MoU to jointly implement activities related to the assessment of renewable energy potentials.
Mr Adnan Amin DG of IRENA and Mr Michel Jarraud Secretary General of WMO signed this first MoU between IRENA and a UN agency on December 5th 2011 during the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2011. This partnership has been initiated in Cancun at COP 16 last year and reached its successful conclusion with the signing ceremony in Durban.
The partnership brings together the WMO’s scientific knowledge and network, technical capabilities and programs with IRENA’s knowledge and convening power in the renewable energy area. This first agreement will provide meteorological information and scientific expertise on climate services to better serve the needs of the energy community.
Mr Amin said that "The partnership we are signing today illustrates the need for cross sectoral cooperation to respond to the twin challenges of energy security and climate change. The contribution of meteorology to the accurate mapping of renewable energy potentials is essential and will enable IRENA to effectively address the needs of its stakeholders by providing critical information for decision making. Under this agreement, IRENA and WMO will exchange their publications and consult with each other on matters of mutual interest in particular on scientific, technological, regulatory and development issues.
Mr Jarraud said that "This partnership between WMO and IRENA is symbolic of the extensive synergies developed over the last decade, between the meteorological and climate community and the renewable energy community to jointly address the challenge of climate change. As WMO is recognized as the UN specialized agency with a mandate for international cooperation responsible in the field of meteorology, hydrology, climate and environmental issues as well as promoting rapid exchanges of meteorological, hydrological and climatological information, it is the common interest of IRENA and WMO to enhance their cooperation.”
(Sourced from WAM)
