The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) – the government entity responsible for ensuring the energy sector’s excellence and sustainability in the emirate – has entered a strategic partnership with the International Energy Agency (IEA), to promote knowledge exchange and resource development with a focus on training, capacity building and participation in international events and conferences.

A highlight of the partnership was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by both parties. The MoU focuses on one of the areas where the two parties can collaborate, as well as the executive procedures that will be undertaken to achieve the desired results.

HE Eng. Mohammed bin Jarsh AlFalasi, Undersecretary of DoE, said: “As Abu Dhabi continues its sustainable growth journey, it is more and more important that we build strategic international partnerships that benefit the Emirate and align with the directives of our wise leadership, its vision for the future, and its dedication to ensuring a better life for future generations.”

“Our new partnership with the International Energy Agency will allow us to exchange experiences and develop our national expertise to strengthen the capacity of the energy sector in Abu Dhabi. This is important as we face future challenges by using the latest and most efficient technologies based on the highest international standards. The agreement with IEA will open new doors and increase the energy sector’s attractiveness among international investors in Abu Dhabi.”

Dr Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, said: “Abu Dhabi is pursuing an ambitious programme that focuses on energy as a top priority to achieve sustainable development across all sectors. In doing so, Abu Dhabi is reevaluating its current suite of policies and regulations to incentivise investment in clean energy. This Memorandum of Understanding will strengthen the cooperation between the International Energy Agency and the DoE, and includes technical exchange that I hope will assist Abu Dhabi reach its targets.” The DoE’s Undersecretary His Excellency Eng. Mohammed Juma Bin Jarsh Al Falasi, and Dr Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, signed the agreement at the Agency’s headquarters in Paris. The MoU reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as an active and influential player in the global energy sector. The agreement is yet another milestone in Abu Dhabi’s journey to a sustainable future, shaped by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting the use of new technologies, and accelerating the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The partnership between DoE and IEA is anticipated to yield positive results especially in terms of empowering a national workforce capable of working with international counterparts to achieve the desired outcome.

The key elements of the agreement between DoE and IEA are:

• The partnership seeks to enhance cooperation between the DoE and the IEA; promote the exchange of knowledge and information; and develop bilateral scientific, technical, technological, legislative, administrative, and commercial cooperation in the energy sector.

• The agreement will see both parties work collaboratively to promote training and capacity building. IEA will hold regular training events that typically cover a range of issues, including energy efficiency policy and procedures; renewable and low-carbon energy technology; and energy analysis.

• IEA and DoE will explore the possibility to design and implement a secondment programme, including the possibility of inviting a nominated modeler(s) to join one of its long-term modelling teams for a period of time, in order to exchange experiences and help bolster the DoE’s modelling capacity.

• As per the agreement, DoE will be invited to participate in meetings of the relevant standing groups on global energy issues such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030. DoE will be encouraged to join IEA’s energy technology cooperation programmes.

The agreement is one of a series of steps undertaken by the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy to enhance its presence on the international stage, following a visit by a DoE delegation to China in March, and a participation in the Energy Hanover conference and the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue (BETD) in April 2019.