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Ladies and gentlemen, let me begin by commending Minister Younes and the Egyptian Government for hosting this important meeting.
The Australian Government is very pleased to be joining IRENA today.
IRENA presents a significant opportunity to further international cooperation in the development and deployment of renewable energy technologies.
The world's governments are faced with the twin challenges of growing demand for energy and the desire to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Australian Government recognises renewable energy will play a significant role in addressing both challenges.
That is why we have set a target for renewable energy to account for 20 per cent of all our energy by 2020.
Australia also recognises that no one country or region can address these issues alone.
Australia is very pleased to become one of IRENA's founding members, as we were of the UN over 60 years ago. We remain committed to the multilateral system and to working cooperatively to find global solutions to global problems.
IRENA presents us with an opportunity to work cooperatively with more than 125 countries on renewable energy issues.
It is important to recognise each country faces its own unique set of challenges in managing the smooth transition of their energy systems to a low emissions footprint.
For Australia, it is important that IRENA directs its focus and resources towards the development of renewable energy projects where they can do the most good.
As such, we believe alleviating energy poverty through renewable energy and promoting the sustained economic growth, particularly in developing countries should be a central aim defining IRENA's strategic role.
For Australia, it is important that in its work, IRENA directs its focus and resources to collaborating with existing international development and energy organisations, most notably the International Energy Agency.
In a similar way that the Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute is working cooperatively with existing bodies and the IEA, so too can IRENA collaborate with existing organisations.
Good work is already being pursued by the IEA and a range of bodies, and IRENA can play a role in building upon the work of existing organisations.
The Australian Government is very pleased to have joined IRENA today and looks forward to working with members over the coming days to chart the way forward for this new organisation.