Press Releases

Mr. Adnan Z. Amin, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to visit Japan

March 16, 2018

1. Mr. Adnan Zahir Amin, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), will visit Japan from Monday, April 2 to Friday, April 6, 2018.

2. During his stay in Japan, Director-General Amin will meet with senior government officials. In addition, he will visit the Fukushima Renewable Energy Institute (FREA) of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), address the International Seminar: The Age of Renewable Energy Diplomacy and Japan’s Course (co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation), and meet women in energy to discuss "Energy and the Empowerment of Women”.

3. Last January, during his stay in Abu Dhabi, Foreign Minister Kono made a policy speech entitled "Renewable Energy Diplomacy of Japan – Climate Change and Future Energy" (PDF)Open a New Window at IRENA's Eighth session of the Assembly and met Director-General Amin. The visit to Japan by Director-General Amin is expected to further advance the relationship between Japan and IRENA.

[Note 1] The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
IRENA (with its headquarters in Abu Dhabi, UAE) is a global intergovernmental organisation with 156 Members (155 States and the European Union) and an additional 24 states in accession, supporting countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future. IRENA serves as the principal platform for international co-operation, a centre of excellence, and a repository of policy, technology, resource and financial knowledge on renewable energy. IRENA promotes the widespread adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy in the pursuit of sustainable development, energy access, energy security and low-carbon economic growth and prosperity. The Director-General of IRENA is Mr. Adnan Z. Amin, a national of Kenya.

[Note 2] Mr. Adnan Z. Amin, Director-General of IRENA
Director-General Amin was born in 1957 (60 years old) and is a national of Kenya. He held senior positions in the United Nations, including in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). In April 2011, he was elected as IRENA’s first Director-General and re-elected in January 2015. He has a Master's degree in development studies from the University of Sussex.

[Note 3] The Fukushima Renewable Energy Institute (FREA) of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)
FREA was established in Koriyama, Fukushima Prefecture in April 2014. FREA is tackling various issues that must be solved, including output fluctuation, high cost and regional variability in renewable energy technology.


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