APSEC signs a Memorandum of Understanding with IRENA

To intensify cooperation and further support renewable energy development, APEC Sustainable Energy Center (APSEC) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Renewable Energy Agency IRENA. 

The two sides agreed to cooperate in accelerating the development of renewable energy in the APEC region. The focus of cooperation will not only be on joint research to increase the role of renewable energy in the APEC region, but also on organizing joint events, capacity building, internships and similar ways to disseminate the research to industry, to the public and to the young generation.

APSEC has as its core mandate to be a think tank and research institute in sustainable energy, servicing not only Chinese industry, the National Energy Administration as well as other stakeholders, but also the APEC Energy Working Group composed of representatives of the 21 APEC member economies to which APSEC regularly reports. IRENA, on the other hand, is the intergovernmental organization mandated to promote widespread and increased adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy and to support countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future. The cooperation between the two institutions will essentially focus on highlighting renewable energy developments in an APEC-wide context.

After the signature, IRENA Director General Francesco la Camera expressed his satisfaction that the two institutions will now systematically cooperate. “IRENA is very glad to cooperate with APSEC. This fills a gap that, up to now, has been unexplored. In future, cooperation will not only happen between IRENA and a specific economy of the Asia-Pacific region but involve APEC as a regional organization and important player in the Asia-Pacific”. Underlining the importance of strengthening cooperation with APSEC, IRENA Director General participated at the 12^th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Energy Development and the High-Level Dialogue Between APEC Energy Ministers and Business Leaders celebrated on 10 September 2026 in Beijing and took also part in the 15^th APEC Energy Ministers Meeting. Zhuli, APSEC President who signed the MOU on behalf of APSEC, added: “For APSEC, the value of cooperating with IRENA is manifold. The partnership with IRENA allows APSEC to widen its outreach to global organizations and undertake joint research and analysis for the benefits of all”.

By APEC Sustainable Energy Center
Editor: Sun Xiaofang