South Korea Designated as Next Chair of International Renewable Energy Agency Assembly: "Commitment to Energy Transition"

South Korea has been designated as the chair country for the next session of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly, set to lead global discussions on renewable energy transition for one year in 2027.

The government announced on January 13 that South Korea was named the chair country for the 17th IRENA Assembly at the 16th session held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on January 11-12. The designation was made just before the conclusion of the assembly, early in the morning Korea time.

IRENA is an international organization established in 2011 with the goal of accelerating the energy transition and expanding renewable energy for a sustainable future. A total of 171 countries are currently members. South Korea has served as a council member since the organization’s inception, and this is the first time it has been designated as the chair country for the assembly.

International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

As the chair country, South Korea will preside over the IRENA Assembly for one year in 2027, set major agendas for the global expansion of renewable energy, and lead cooperation among nations. The government expects that this will strengthen international collaboration on its core policy objectives of an energy transition centered on renewables and a decarbonized green transformation.

Lee Wonjoo, Director General for Energy Transition Policy at the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, who attended the assembly as chief delegate, stated, "Our designation as chair country affirms the international consensus on the government’s renewable energy-centered energy transition policy. We will successfully host the next assembly to elevate South Korea’s status in global clean energy governance and achieve tangible results in international cooperation, including securing overseas projects."

Cho Gye-yeon, Director of the Climate and Environmental Change Diplomacy Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who also attended the assembly, said, "South Korea’s entry as chair country into IRENA, the only international organization in the field of renewable energy, demonstrates our commitment to promoting international cooperation on energy transition."

The government plans to use this designation as an opportunity to strengthen its policy leadership at the center of international renewable energy discussions and to participate more actively in global efforts to address the climate crisis and advance the energy transition.