Ongoing tensions involving the US, Israel, and Iran have exposed the inability of fossil fuel-based energy systems to ensure energy security, the Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) said on Friday.
Speaking to Anadolu on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, where AA serves as the "Global Communication Partner," Francesco La Camera shared his assessment of the global energy sector.
He said developments in the Middle East should be seen not only as an energy crisis but also as a structural crisis of centralized systems dependent on fossil fuels.
"This is fundamentally a deep crisis of a centralized system based on fossil fuels," La Camera said. "Recent developments clearly show that such a system cannot provide energy security."
Highlighting the rapid expansion of renewable energy, La Camera noted that around 90% to 92% of newly installed electricity generation capacity now comes from renewable sources.
He added that the current crisis is accelerating the global energy transition.
"What we are witnessing — starting in the Middle East and affecting the entire world — once again demonstrates that both the energy crisis and energy security can be addressed through renewable energy," he said. "The solution lies in increasing investments in decentralized energy systems and renewable sources."
- Regional cooperation initiatives
La Camera also underlined IRENA's efforts to expand renewable energy adoption across regions.
He said the agency has launched partnerships to promote renewable energy in Africa and continues to support increased investments in Central Asia.
In this context, he announced that an investment forum will be held in Baku with the support of Azerbaijan.
He added that cooperation with countries is carried out through regional initiatives and local partnerships, while investment processes are facilitated via the Energy Transition Financing Platform, which includes 14 multilateral financial institutions.
- Preparations for COP31
La Camera said preparations are underway for the COP31 UN Climate Change Conference, scheduled to be held in Antalya in November.
He noted that a report on monitoring the expansion of renewable energy and doubling energy efficiency will be presented in September at the UN General Assembly in New York, at Türkiye's Consulate General.
"We are also conducting analytical work on a roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels as part of an initiative led by Brazil's COP presidency," he said, adding that the issue was discussed with Türkiye's Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar.
He said setting electrification targets is also on the COP31 agenda, either within the action agenda or the negotiation process.
"I am pleased to say that our cooperation with Türkiye is strong and based on mutual respect," La Camera said. "We are also initiating dialogue with Australia. Our goal is to ensure that COP31 becomes a fully successful summit."
- Role of diplomacy
Commenting on the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, La Camera said the event was particularly timely despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
"Placing diplomacy at the center of building humanity’s shared future is a visionary approach," he said, adding that he found President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's opening speech especially impactful.
"The program is rich and the high-level participation is remarkable. I believe this forum is becoming an important platform that strengthens diplomacy to shape our common future," he said.
By Gulsen Cagatay
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr
