Joint Press Declaration 26th of June 2009

End of June will be an exciting moment for Renewables: More than 100 signatory States to IRENA, the International Renewable Energy Agency will come together. Egypt will host the 2nd session of the Preparatory Commission on 29-30 June 2009 in Sharm El Sheikh. Many of the States and numerous Observers, including us, will take part in a hopefully forceful statement for strong Renewable policies.

Four cities from four countries submitted their candidacy for the seat of IRENA: Bonn, Copenhagen, Masdar and Vienna.

The credit of pushing consequently towards the foundation of IRENA belongs in the first place to Denmark, Germany and Spain. All three countries are worldwide among the most experienced driving forces for renewable technologies, research and strong policy instruments to help our industry and technologies to rapidly grow on the energy market. We are proud to make a difference worldwide now. With our colleagues and interests in all parts of the world we can deliver change and create the energy revolution crucially necessary for the world.

What we need is clarity and a common ground.

We call on Vienna and Masdar, on Austria and Abu Dhabi to do the same. We ask you both to follow the Danish example and show your spirit for fair-play and generosity once again. Don’t let IRENA be burdened by damaging fights for the seat. Set your heart on Bonn and go for it! Germany has certainly won its place as a shining example for renewables and for investmentsecuring policy instruments especially the feed-in mechanisms and specific eco grant schemes which are used as blue prints all over the world. Germany did not invent the wheel, feed-in mechanisms were started long time ago in the US, in Portugal and the first designer in Europe on a large scale was Denmark. But it is clear that Germany took it into the heart of energy policy and it is clear that the idea of IRENA and Germany are synonymous. And with a share of almost 10 % of renewable energy in its total final energy consumption and close to 300.000 people working in and for renewables Germany clearly has the credit of success.

We would like to have a strong, effective IRENA, an agency which concentrates on renewables and strong policies for renewables, not for just any “low-carbon” technologies but for renewables and energy savings.

We call on all of you States to open the statutes of IRENA and to enable further regional agencies of IRENA in North America, Asia, Africa, and Australia and wherever you declare it important. But let there be one in the driver’s seat and let that be Bonn.

Good luck for all of you in your meeting and for all of us and the renewable World!