Zardari inks deal to become Irena member

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President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday signed the Instrument of Ratification for Pakistan to become a member of the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena). Irena, founded on January 26, 2009, in Bonn, Germany, aims to promote widespread and increased adoption and the sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy. To date 149 countries have signed the statute of Irena while 76 have ratified it. The president’s spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said that recognising the advantages of this international forum, Pakistan took an active part in the formative phase of Irena and participated actively in the preparatory meetings that were held before this forum was formally established. The agency facilitates its member’s access to all relevant renewable energy information, including technical data, economic data and resource potential data.In view of the current energy shortage, the growing demands of an increasing population, the financial constraints and environmental concerns, President Zardari has continuously been urging for adoption of alternate means of energy generation at the earliest possible, Babar said. By becoming a member of Irena, Pakistan stands to gain significantly, he said.