Abu Dhabi, capital of the oil-rich United Arab Emirates, will host the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the official MENA news agency reported.

"Abu Dhabi has won the seat of the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency after voting took place today on Monday in (the Egyptian Red Sea resort of) Sharm el Sheikh," MENA said.

The results came after intense lobbying by the UAE delegation following criticism that Abu Dhabi has the largest per capita carbon footprint in the world.

"Seven ministers from the Emirates participated in the conference in a noteable effort to achieve a high proportion of the votes," MENA said.

Representatives from 129 countries were gathered for IRENA's first working meeting, with the European cities of Bonn and Vienna vying against Abu Dhabi to host the organisation.

The agency, which was launched in Bonn in January, will advise governments on technical and financial issues linked to renewable energy and promote such technology in developing countries.