Brazil joins the IEA-OES, with INPO designated as national representative

Posted 2026-04-14 in News

Official ceremony held in Rio de Janeiro during PAMEC 2026 marks a new step in international cooperation on ocean energy

The formal signature took place on 13 April 2026 at the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Oceânicas (INPO), in Rio de Janeiro, on the occasion of PAMEC 2026 – the Pan-American Conference on Marine Energy. The ceremony brought together representatives from key Brazilian institutions and highlighted the country’s growing commitment to collaboration in the field of ocean energy.

The event was attended by representatives of the Brazilian Government, with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) participating online and the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) attending in person, reflecting the strategic importance of Brazil’s participation in the IEA-OES. The Government of Brazil has designated INPO as the organisation representing the country in the collaboration.

Professor Segen Estefen, Director of INPO, has been appointed as Brazil’s delegate to the IEA-OES Executive Committee. His designation marks the beginning of Brazil’s formal participation in the programme and opens the door to closer engagement with the international ocean energy community.

Representing the IEA-OES Secretariat, Ana Brito Melo took part in the ceremony while attending PAMEC 2026 in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil’s entry into the collaboration was marked in a particularly relevant context, as PAMEC brings together key representatives from across the marine energy sector and the wider Pan-American community.

Brazil’s accession to the IEA-OES is an important step for both the country and the collaboration. For Brazil, it creates new opportunities to engage with international expertise, exchange knowledge, and contribute to ongoing discussions on the development, demonstration and future deployment of ocean energy technologies. For the IEA-OES, Brazil’s participation broadens the collaboration’s geographical reach and reinforces dialogue with a region of growing relevance for marine renewable energy.

As the IEA-OES continues to promote international cooperation on wave, tidal, ocean thermal and salinity gradient energy, the inclusion of Brazil strengthens the shared effort to accelerate innovation, support enabling frameworks, and advance ocean energy as part of the global clean energy transition.

The IEA-OES warmly welcomes Brazil to the collaboration and looks forward to its active participation in the Executive Committee and in future OES activities.