BONN: Officials from around the world signed a document establishing the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) on Monday at a conference in Bonn, the former capital of West Germany.
European countries including France, Germany and Spain were among the 75 signatories. Egypt, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Serbia, Syria and Turkey also signed up to the new center, said to be the first of its kind.
US officials took part in the talks but did not sign the document.
With IRENA, renewable energies will get higher visibility and a helping hand politically, German Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel said.
The center will advise governments on technical and financial issues linked to renewable energy and promote such technology in developing countries.
The location of the headquarters for the new agency will be decided in June. -AFP
