Antigua and Barbuda’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations
Tumasie Blair’s tenure as chair of the International Renewable Energy Agency
(IRENA) formally came to an end at the Agency’s 26 th Council meeting in Abu
Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates.
A statement from the Antigua and Barbuda mission explained that IRENA unites
over 150 countries with the goal of achieving a future where the transition to
renewable energy is a primary consideration in their efforts to expand their
economies and secure a sustainable future.
As he handed over the chairmanship of the inter-governmental organisation to the
United States, Blair used his farewell speech to reflect on a demanding but
rewarding term which covered considerable ground in laying out the work of the
agency over the next biennium.
In reflection, the Antigua and Barbuda diplomat said he was inspired by the
mobilised and urgent action that the agency took in accelerating the renewables-
based energy transition for countries around world. “This would not be possible
without each and every one of us and our commitment to the mission of the
agency,” Blair noted.
Mindful of the peculiar vulnerabilities and challenges of Small Island Developing
States, like his own country of Antigua and Barbuda, Blair reminded the meeting
of the crucial and urgent nature of their work.
“…the climate crisis presents an existential threat, and a profound shift towards a
renewable-based energy transition, as well as urgent and adequate financing of this
mission, is critical. This is by now a known fact for SIDS and time is running out,”
he declared.
This is not far removed from the commitment of Antigua and Barbuda’s widely
expressed commitment to strengthening and accelerating its renewable-based
energy transition.
