Latin America has an opportunity to assume the Director-Generalship of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Following the tenures of representatives from Africa and Europe, the regional rotation positions the Americas and Asia as potential candidates for the new four-year term beginning in April 2027.
“Geographical alternation is not formally established in the regulations, but it functions as an unwritten rule within multilateral organizations,” Sources from the sector explained in dialogue with Strategic Energy.
Under that criterion, the succession of the Italian Francesco La Camera (who is finishing his term after two periods at the head of IRENA) may open up space for a regional candidacy capable of gathering technical support and diplomatic consensus.
The call seeks candidates who are “ visionary and with great political acumen ” to lead the Agency in accelerating the energy transition, considering that IRENA requires at least 15 years of professional experience, including ten or more in senior management roles within the public sector, governments, international bodies, companies, private institutions or non-governmental organizations.
But the decision will not depend solely on professional background: nationality, the country's international standing, and government support would also influence the decisive moments.
How does it rank country by country?
Uruguay starts with a consistent narrative. Its high share of renewable energy in electricity generation, the continuity of its planning, and its full membership in the Agency allow it to showcase results to other States.
“While Costa Rica is a country that always has a good profile for positions in international organizations,” sources close to this news portal indicated.
Colombia can enter the discussion if it puts forward a candidate with sufficient political backing. The region even has a precedent: former Minister of Mines and Energy (2016-2018), Germán Arce, reached the final stage of the previous process, although the Assembly ultimately elected Francesco La Camera.
Argentina also participated in that competition. Sebastián Kind , former Undersecretary of Renewable Energy for the country, was on the initial list of ten candidates, but did not advance to the final round.
Both cases show that Latin America has already had figures capable of overcoming initial assessments. The difference this time could lie in the possibility of building a regional framework around geographical alternation .
“Mexico is a country that could also benefit, but its recent history of lack of progress with renewables works against it (despite the work done by the current administration, which awarded several calls for +11 GW ). In addition, many of the leaders in renewables do not come from the current government sector,” they analyzed from the sector.
“Paraguay, given its history of renewable energy as a country, could also position itself well,” added specialists in the field.
Brazil and Chile have sophisticated markets, at the forefront of the energy transition, extensive progress in centralized and distributed projects, and high installed renewable capacity (around 268 GW and 30 GW, respectively, considering large hydroelectric plants).
However, the lack of full membership may diminish their influence in an election decided by voting members . This situation does not necessarily prevent their representatives from running, but it does reduce the strength of their diplomatic platform.
Between Europe and Asia, the region appears as a point of equilibrium
The election will be heavily influenced by technological competition between Europe and Asia . Both blocs seek to preserve their influence over the renewable energy agenda, equipment manufacturing, the development of new solutions, and the value chains associated with the energy transition.
“For several European countries, an Asian director could be more problematic due to the growing weight and technological rivalry between Europe and Asia. Meanwhile, China doesn't usually take control of international organizations of this kind. It's in a position to avoid being at the forefront, because that would mean being in direct conflict with the United States (which ceased to be a member of IRENA in January 2026),” the sources explained.
“At the same time, supporting another Asian country is not necessarily an easy solution either. India, South Korea, and Japan compete with China in various technologies and industrial chains associated with the new energy system,” they added.
In this context, a figure from Latin America could serve as a balancing alternative . Their viability will depend on the candidate's ability to guarantee neutrality, institutional continuity, and dialogue with all regions.
Oceania would have less leverage to secure a nomination due to its small number of voting countries. Outside of the blocs with the best chances, Canada could emerge as an option given its diplomatic track record and presence in the energy industry.
The situation is still open. The technical evaluation will determine who meets the requirements, but the final decision will be reached through agreements between governments with different political, industrial, and strategic priorities.
What's next in the process? The selection of the new CEO will have two clearly distinct stages. The first will be technical and will involve Russell Reynolds Associates , the consulting firm hired to review applications and create a shortlist of candidates.
The shortlist will then go to IRENA's Selection Committee. There, the political phase will begin, in which governments will negotiate support and assess not only each candidate's experience, but also the regional and geopolitical balances involved in the appointment .
The Committee will have to narrow down the pool of applicants and submit two names for the General Assembly's decision. At that stage, the full members will vote, so formal membership in the Agency could be a significant advantage.
Interviews with the shortlisted candidates are planned for September, and the finalists will participate in the 17th session of the Assembly, scheduled for January 2027. There, it will be decided who will lead the organization from April onwards for a four-year term, renewable for an additional period.
Within this framework, the candidacy cannot rely solely on individual prestige. When the selection process moves from the technical to the diplomatic phase, the track record of the country of origin will begin to carry more weight.
The situation is still open. The technical evaluation will determine who meets the requirements, but the final decision will be reached through agreements between governments with different political, industrial, and strategic priorities.