The IRENA Youth Forum 2026, titled The New Generation of Decision Makers Summit, hosted by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), invites emerging energy leaders to a five-day transformative event in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Held alongside the 15th IRENA Assembly at St. Regis Saadiyat Island, this forum has convened 600+ youth from 100+ countries since 2020, fostering 20,000+ global connections to accelerate renewable energy deployment. Aligned with UN SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), it empowers young innovators to shape sustainable energy transitions at IRENA’s Masdar City headquarters, a global hub for clean energy innovation. Participants engage in high-level plenaries, thematic workshops, and policy dialogues, contributing youth perspectives to global energy strategies.

The agenda prioritizes four key pillars: Renewable Energy Innovation, advancing solar, wind, and hydrogen technologies; Climate Action, promoting net-zero policies; Energy Transition, scaling green infrastructure; and Youth Empowerment, fostering policy advocacy. Past forums, like Noor Solar Plant visit, inspired 90% of delegates to launch community energy projects, impacting 50,000+ lives. The program, guided by experts like Francesco La Camera, IRENA Director-General, offers 25–30 hours of immersive sessions at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) venues, integrating AI-driven energy modeling trending in global sustainability. Interactive formats, including Youth Circles and open dialogues, amplify cross-generational collaboration.

Delegates access pre-forum e-modules via irena.org, refining energy proposals with mentors from IRENA’s Renewable Energy Roadmap (REmap) team. Cultural immersions, such as Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque tours and Louvre Abu Dhabi visits, connect participants to UAE’s cultural legacy, with **95% reporting enriched global perspective. Networking events, like the ADSW Youth 4 Sustainability panel, generate 35,000+ social media engagements. Side events at Qasr Al Hosn and Corniche Beach foster multicultural dialogue in Abu Dhabi’s sustainability capital, a city hosting 2 million+ tourists annually.

Since 2020, the IRENA Youth Forum has empowered trailblazers like Jane Nakasamu, whose 2023 green jobs advocacy shaped Kenya’s energy policies. Conducted in English with a 25–30-hour commitment, it ensures accessibility for global youth. The IRENA Framework, rooted in innovation, inclusivity, and climate resilience, is showcased at COP conferences. The cohort aims to spark 25,000+ energy initiatives, advancing clean energy access, policy reform, and global sustainability. Delegates explore Abu Dhabi’s innovation ecosystem, from Masdar City’s solar labs to Saadiyat Island’s cultural hubs, immersing in UAE’s energy epicenter.

Join emerging energy leaders to ignite sustainable solutions, shape energy futures, and drive transformative impact with IRENA Youth Forum 2026!

IRENA Youth Forum in UAE:

Host Country:

•United Arab Emirates

Event Location:

•Abu Dhabi

Youth Forum Date:

•11-13 January

Benefits of the IRENA Youth Forum in Abu Dhabi, UAE:

•Fully funded opportunity for up to 35 participants
•Includes travel expenses
•Includes accommodation for selected participants

Eligibility Criteria for IRENA Youth Forum in the United Arab Emirates:

Applicants applying must:

1. Be between the ages of 16 to 35 years.

2. Must have a valid passport.

3. Must be willing to travel on the mentioned date of the event.

4. Mention a project that the individual is involved in related to sustainable energy development.

5. Write a statement mentioning your expectations from this international youth forum.

6. Applicants must pay a USD 19 registration fee.

Documents Required for the IRENA Program, UAE:

1. Recommendation letter (if available).

2. Certificate of student status/Certificate of Academic degree.

3. Academic transcript (if required).

4. Proof of Language proficiency (English)/ Medium of Instruction (English).

5. CV (if required).

6. Additional Documents for Special Circumstances.

7. Copy of Valid Passport (Photo and Information Page).

8. Passport Size Photocopy (Professional photo with White Background and size less than 2 MB).

Program Deadline:

• Registration deadline for 2025 has passed.

• Registration for 2026 is now open with a tentative deadline in September 2025!

Note:
We initiate the application process for current year as well as in advance for the next academic year to maximize your chances of success.