On March 21, 2024, the China-International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Cooperation Special Working Group (hereinafter referred to as the "China-IRENA Cooperation Special Working Group") held its inaugural meeting in Beijing. Representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the National Energy Administration, as well as representatives from over 30 research institutions, industry associations, universities, energy enterprisesattended the meeting. CQC was invited to participate as a member of the China-IRENA Cooperation Special Working Group.

During the meeting, the National Energy Administration encouraged participants to emphasize on improving positioning and direction, perfecting mechanisms and enhancing coordination, and seizing opportunities and taking proactive actions. Leveraging the China-IRENA "1+1+N" cooperation mechanism, they aimed to deepen and solidify cooperation between China and IRENA.

In the the meeting, the China-IRENA Cooperation Office reported on the overall cooperation situation, while the Special Working Group introduced the existing work foundation, achievements, and the next step work plan. During the discussions, Xu Shaoshan, Deputy Managing Director of CQC, proposed relevant suggestions on the cooperation model and potential cooperation areas. He also shared views and insights on promoting the development of China's clean energy industry, specifically by participating in international standard development and addressing green trade barriers.

IRENA is currently the most extensive and influential intergovernmental cooperation organization in the global renewable energy field. The China-IRENA Cooperation Special Working Group is one of the important mechanisms to deepen cooperation between the two sides. To comprehensively enhance the level of cooperation between China and IRENA, in June 2021, the National Energy Administration and IRENA signed a Memorandum of Understanding and established the China-IRENA Cooperation Office. It currently has five special working groups responsible for promoting policy dialogue, technical exchange, industry research, capacity building, and project docking.

In the future, CQC will strengthen communication and cooperation with the China-IRENA Cooperation Office, actively participate in the work of the China-IRENA Cooperation Special Working Group, and help Chinese energy enterprises better and faster enter overseas markets by enhancing third-party services in the energy transition and clean energy fields. This will play an active role in enhancing China's influence in the international clean energy field and promoting global energy governance transformation.