World leaders including Ursula von der Leyen, William Ruto, and Philip Davis will headline the Global Renewables Summit in New York, spotlighting bold commitments to scale renewable energy and accelerate the global transition.
The second edition of the Global Renewables Summit (GRS25) is set to take place on 22–23 September in New York, alongside the UN General Assembly and Climate Week NYC. The high-level event, convened by the Global Renewables Alliance (GRA) in partnership with the European Commission, COP30 Presidency, the Governments of Kenya and the Bahamas, and IRENA, will bring together heads of state, global policymakers, business leaders, and climate advocates to accelerate the clean energy transition.
The Summit will open with the High-Level Session on Renewable Energy Abundance, featuring keynote addresses by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, William Ruto, President of Kenya, and Philip Davis, Prime Minister of the Bahamas. Also joining the stage will be Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago, COP30 President-designate, Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA, Bruce Douglas, CEO of GRA, and Dr. Andrew Forrest AO, Executive Chairman of Fortescue.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen underscored Europe’s commitment to clean energy, noting that half of the EU’s electricity already comes from renewables with investments up 63% this year. “The clean power transition can only succeed with truly global benefits. Europe is placing it at the core of our international agenda,” she said.
From Africa, President William Ruto reaffirmed the continent’s ambitious renewable vision, citing the Nairobi Declaration’s 300 GW by 2030 target and a $100 billion commitment from African financial institutions to drive green industries. “Our strength lies in integration — within Africa and with global partners,” Ruto stressed.
Prime Minister Philip Davis of the Bahamas delivered a stark reminder of climate vulnerability, describing rising seas and intensifying storms as a “direct assault on human rights.” He called for urgent global action: “The time is up; the climate crisis demands our full attention now.”
The Summit will also feature roundtable dialogues on national energy plans, grid expansion, financing for emerging markets, and green industrialisation. Leaders are expected to announce new commitments and partnerships that can accelerate renewable deployment and bolster energy security worldwide.
IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera emphasized the economic advantage of renewables, noting that 90% of new projects are cheaper than fossil fuel alternatives. Meanwhile, GRA CEO Bruce Douglas highlighted the role of policy clarity and investment signals in driving the renewables revolution.
As the world looks ahead to COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the Global Renewables Summit is positioned as a pivotal platform to turn global ambition into national action, mobilising capital and scaling solutions that can deliver prosperity, resilience, and energy security.