Qatar has become the latest state to join the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena), a multinational agency aimed at promoting renewable energy across the world.

The agreement was signed on 24 June in Abu Dhabi, the home of Irena’s headquarters.

Qatar has committed to working with other member states to form policy frameworks and facilitate the establishment of financing mechanisms to increase the development of renewable energy.

Qatar joins 144 existing members, which have already signed the statute. A total of 25 countries have ratified the agreement.

The agency has grown at a fast pace. In just over a year, the number of signatory states has nearly doubled from 75 to 145.

The Irena statute is set to enter into force on 8 July, at which point it will become a fully-fledged international organisation.