The IRENA General Assembly held at the begining of January in Abu Dhabi, alongside the Sustainability Week, reaffirmed the city’s role as a global platform for energy dialogue and cooperation. Within this framework the Embassy of Italy to the United Arab Emitates was pleased to co-host, together with IRENA and the Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates, a joint Renewables Talk and Women in Diplomacy event dedicated to Small Island Developing States.
This event placed islands at the centre of the global sustainability conversation. We wanted to underline that islands are places where integrated solutions can be designed, tested and scaled. Small Island Developing States face some of the most acute climate and resource challenges. However, they also indicate that renewable energy, water security and community engagement can be combined into models of resilience.
The event held in Abu Dhabi highlighted the importance of an integrated approach linking energy, water and people. The strong focus on the water energy food and ecosystem nexus reflected a shared understanding that sustainability challenges cannot be addressed in isolation. In the context of the islands this nexus is particularly visible and offers valuable lessons for coastal and insular regions, including across the MENA region.
A central dimension of the dialogue was the indispensable role of people, in particular the contribution of women in shaping policy building capacity and strengthening awareness. Advancing the energy transition requires not only technology and finance but also inclusive governance and local ownership. This human dimension was at the heart of the event reflections.
Italy strongly supports this vision. With more than forty percent of its electricity generation now coming from renewable sources, Italy has developed a long-standing experience and expertise, that can be adapted to island contexts globally. Our strong engagement in the MENA region further reinforces the relevance of island-based approaches as drivers of regional cooperation and sustainable development.
Abu Dhabi offers a unique setting for this dialogue. Through Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and the continued hosting of the IRENA General Assembly, the United Arab Emirates provides a space where regional perspectives connect with global objectives and where ambition is translated into practical collaboration.
To the readers of the GTI Magazine I extend my appreciation for your commitment to advancing island-led solutions. I would like also to express my encouragement to all of you to keep on building bridges between regions, institutions and communities for a sustainable future.
