Thai Ambassador to the UAE welcomed Dr.Weerawat Chantanakome, Senior Team Leader of Asia Pacific Energy Research Center

            On 27 August 2010, Dr. Weerawat Chantanakome, Senior Team Leader of Asia Pacific Energy Research Center, who was nominated by the Ministry of Energy from Thailand for the position of Director for Programme, Capacity Building and Outreach (D1 level) at International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Somchai Charanasomboon, Thai Ambassador to the UAE.  

            On this occasion, H.E. the Ambassador informed Dr. Chantanakome about the bilateral talk with executive leaders of IRENA, the related meetings held in the UAE, and discussed the possibility of exploring ways and means for Thailand to play an active role in the agency. H.E. the Ambassador also hosted dinner in honour of Dr. Weerawat Chantanakome at his  Abu Dhabi residence.

            IRENA was initiated in Bonn, Germany in 2009. Member states later agreed to establish its headquarters in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. There are currently 148 member states and the European Union, 34 of which have ratified its treaty. IRENA became a fully fledged International Organization on 8 July 2010. The main objective of this agency is to promote the widespread and increased adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy which will alleviate the issue of global climate change that has brought about series of national disasters in many countries.