As the first Permanent Representative of Maldives to have been accredited to IRENA since Maldives became a Member State of IRENA in 2009, Maldives Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Hussain Niyaz has presented his credentials to the Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Francesco La Camera.

The letter of credence was presented during a ceremony held on Thursday at the Headquarters of IRENA, the Ambassador expressed the government’s commitment to work closely with IRENA to achieve its objectives as well as towards accomplishing the aim of carbon neutrality in Maldives.

Niyaz stated that Maldives considers its approach towards renewable energy as a cornerstone of Maldives broader environment policy.

Following the ceremony, Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid had congratulated Dr. Niyaz, stating that close cooperation with IRENA "will strengthen our transition efforts".

Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, the International Renewable Energy Agency is an intergovernmental organization that was formally established in January 2009 to support countries in their efforts to transit to a more sustainable energy future, and serves as the primary platform for international cooperation on a number of areas that encourages the adoption of renewable energy, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

IRENA currently has over 160 Member States and since becoming one, Maldives has contributed immensely to its work.

While Maldives continues to be represented at various IRENA meetings, the inaugural meeting of the Renewable Island Energy (IRIE) was held in Maldives in October 2017.