International Renewable Energy Agency: Middle East conflicts highlight the urgent need for countries to build more resilient energy systems

【Caixin Net】 Global economic uncertainty and rising geopolitical tensions are intensifying, making the energy transition urgent. On March 26, La Camara, the Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency, said at the Boao Forum for Asia 2026 Annual Conference that the recent war in the Middle East has exposed the vulnerability of countries’ economic systems in responding to shocks in oil and gas prices. It also further shows that countries urgently need to build a more diversified, resilient, and sustainable energy system.

“An energy transition is not only a measure to address climate change; it also provides countries with an important pathway to strengthen energy security and enhance economic resilience.” La Camara said.

As early as December 2023, at the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (i.e., COP28), “the UAE Consensus” was reached on multiple issues. The consensus sets a goal that by 2030, the world will accelerate its transition away from fossil fuels—tripling the installed capacity of renewable energy, doubling energy efficiency, and significantly reducing methane emissions.