Solomon Islands has secured a seat on the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Council for the first time, marking a milestone in the country’s growing role in global climate and energy discussions.
The nation was elected as a member of the Asia-Pacific Group at IRENA’s 29th Council Meeting, held in Abu Dhabi from 10–12 September. Its two-year term will begin on 11 September 2025, succeeding the Kingdom of Tonga, which served from 2023–2025.
For Solomon Islanders, the achievement carries both symbolic weight and practical importance. It is the first time the country has been chosen to represent the Pacific within the Asia-Pacific Group since the Council’s establishment.
Ambassador to the UAE and Permanent Representative to IRENA, Cornelius Walegerea, said the appointment gave the Pacific a stronger voice at the global table.
“As a member of the Council representing the Pacific, Solomon Islands looks forward to working with IRENA during its tenure to advocate and amplify the call for the international community to meet their climate change commitments and support Pacific Island countries with their renewable energy needs," Walegerea said.
The Abu Dhabi meeting drew government officials, diplomats and energy experts from around the world. Discussions ranged from global energy security to advancing next-generation renewable technologies, with a strong focus on solar power and strengthening regional manufacturing.
The Solomon Islands delegation was led by Walegerea and included Gabriel Aimaea, Director of Energy in the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, and Paul Avoso Pandarongo, Second Secretary at the Solomon Islands Embassy in the UAE.
For a nation facing the daily realities of climate change, from rising seas to fragile infrastructure, the Council seat is more than a diplomatic victory. It is a chance to press for solutions that matter to Pacific communities, where renewable energy is not only about sustainability but survival.
