The UK aid (FCDO) funded Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) programme was delighted to participate in the Sixteenth Session of the IRENA Assembly, held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from 10-12 January 2026. The Assembly session focused on the theme of "Powering Humanity: Renewable Energy for Shared Prosperity." The session gathered global leaders and energy decision-makers to discuss strategies and underline necessary actions for the acceleration of renewable energy across countries, regions, and the world, driving economic inclusion, equity, and human wellbeing.
Professor Ed Brown, Loughborough University and Research Director of MECS, and Mr. Jose Luis Ortega Moreno, MECs Research Programme Assistant, represented the MECS programme at the global event. Prof. Brown represented MECS in the side event ‘Mobilising Finance for Clean Cooking’ and Prof. Brown and Mr. Ortega Moreno participated in The UN's SDG7 Technical Advisory Group which undertook forward planning for the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on SDG7 to be held later this year.