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The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its
approval for India becoming a member country of the International Energy Agency
– Ocean Energy Systems (IEA-OES) by signing the Implementing Agreement (IA).
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The nodal agency for the membership would be Earth System Science Organisation
– National Institute of Ocean Technology (ESSO-NIOT) under the Ministry of
Earth Sciences.
Key Facts:
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India will have access to advanced R&D teams and technologies across the
world.
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India will partner in developing test protocols along with other countries.
This will help in testing Indian prototypes as per international requirements
and norms.
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Joint cooperative programs with institutes of member countries could be taken
up.
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India’s own research projects with specific targets can be taken up in
conjunction with other countries.
About International Energy
Agency (IEA):
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The IEA is an inter-governmental organization with a broad role of promoting alternate
energy sources (including renewable energy), rational energy policies and
multinational energy technology co-operation and acts as energy policy advisor
to 29 member countries.
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The Ocean Energy Systems (OES), launched in 2001, is an intergovernmental
collaboration between countries, which operates under framework established by
the International Energy Agency.
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The aim of this initiative is to advance research, development and
demonstration of technologies to harness energy from all forms of ocean
renewable resources, as well as for other uses, such as desalination etc.
through international cooperation and information exchange.