SNV and IRENA Sign Partnership at COP28

Dubai, 3 December — SNV, a global development partner, and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the intergovernmental organisation promoting sustainable renewable energy, announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their strategic collaboration.

The MoU was formalised during COP28 in Dubai between Francesco La Camera, Director-General, IRENA, and Simon O’Connell, CEO SNV— during a high-level event that marked the official launch of the initiative "Empowering Lives and Livelihoods – Renewables for Climate Action." During this event, a diverse array of stakeholders came together, pledging their commitment to combine resources and expertise. Their shared goal is to tackle the intricate nexus issues found at the intersection of agriculture and health value chains within the broader context of the ongoing energy transition.

SNV and IRENA are partnering to jointly support countries, focusing on agri-food, energy (livelihoods), clean cooking, and inclusivity for youth and women. They will share insights from joint activities, emphasising market-driven solutions and innovative financing. SNV will also contribute technical expertise under the Empowering Lives & Livelihoods Initiative.

Simon O'Connell, CEO, SNV said: ' We are delighted to formalise this partnership with IRENA. By harnessing our combined in-country capacities and expertise, contextual understanding and technical resources, we can make significant strides in transforming agri-food, energy, and water systems for the betterment of people and communities worldwide.’

This partnership signifies a shared commitment to advancing sustainable energy development and enhancing the impact of both organisations in their respective fields. By leveraging each other's strengths and avoiding duplication of efforts, SNV and IRENA aim to amplify their contributions to a sustainable and equitable world.

SNV is a global development partner driven by a vision of a better world: a world where across every society, all people live with dignity and have equal opportunities to thrive sustainably. We aim to make this a reality through our mission to strengthen capacities and catalyse partnerships in the countries we are rooted in. By doing so, we aim to transform the agri-food, energy, and water systems to enable sustainable and more equitable lives for all.

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is a global intergovernmental agency for energy transformation that serves as the principal platform for international cooperation, supports countries in their energy transitions, and provides state-of-the-art data and analyses on technology, innovation, policy, finance and investment. IRENA’s membership comprises 169 countries and the EU.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact Sinead Crane at scrane@snv.org, +31 630791187.