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Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Opens as IRENA Flags Renewables’ Market Lead

IRENA’s latest signals confirm renewables’ dominance, refocusing attention on financing, grids, AI, sustainable fuels.

Overview

  • Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026 is underway through January 15, anchored by the World Future Energy Summit and the opening of IRENA’s 16th General Assembly.
  • GA16 convenes representatives from 139 countries plus the EU, drawing 1,524 participants including 45 at ministerial level to shape cooperation priorities.
  • IRENA director-general Francesco La Camera calls the transition irreversible, citing 92% of last year’s new power capacity from renewables and about $2.4 trillion in transition investment, including roughly $800 billion for new capacity.
  • An IRENAILO review reports 16.6 million renewable-energy jobs in 2024, led by China’s 7.3 million, with solar PV as the largest employer.
  • Masdar marks its 20th anniversary with projects in more than 40 countries, $15 billion invested or committed in 2025, and progress beyond halfway to its 100 GW-by-2030 goal, while the Abu Dhabi Chamber launches a Sustainability Label and showcases member firms at WFES.