New Delhi: The curtain raiser for the highly anticipated Seventh Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly was hosted today in New Delhi, with representatives from 60 countries attending. The assembly, set to be a global platform for advancing solar energy cooperation, will be presided over by Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, from November 3 to 6, 2024.
The ISA Assembly will welcome ministers, missions, and delegates from 120 Member and Signatory Countries, alongside key stakeholders, to deliberate on strategies aimed at improving energy access, security, and the transition to cleaner energy.
In his address, Pralhad Joshi emphasized the pivotal role of solar energy in addressing global energy challenges and mitigating climate change. “The ISA has evolved into a key platform for solar cooperation, now encompassing 120 Member and Signatory Countries. Solar energy is clean, reliable, and abundant, holding the potential to transform global climate action and achieve universal energy access,” said Joshi. He reiterated that ISA’s efforts are focused on expanding solar infrastructure, creating green jobs, and supporting livelihoods while addressing the urgent need to mitigate climate impacts.
Under the joint presidency of India and France, the assembly will highlight several flagship ISA initiatives. Ajay Yadav, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), highlighted the challenges of solar deployment, such as infrastructure, investments, and indigenisation. He stressed that the ISA’s role in addressing these hurdles through collaborations and programmes has resulted in diversifying global supply chains and boosting solar energy demand.
Key initiatives to be discussed during the assembly include:
- SolarX Startup Challenge: Launched in collaboration with Invest India at COP27, this initiative supports scalable solar energy business models in ISA Member Countries.
- STAR-C Initiative: A capacity-building programme launched in collaboration with UNIDO and the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, aiming to align national training needs with quality infrastructure for solar products.
- Global Solar Facility: Focused on enhancing solar investments in underserved regions, particularly in Africa, using tools like the Solar Payment Guarantee Fund and Solar Insurance Fund.
- International Solar Festival: Launched in September 2024, the festival brought together key stakeholders from the private sector, academia, and community leaders to promote international cooperation in solar energy innovation.
ISA’s Director General, Dr. Ajay Mathur, emphasized the organization’s role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7 & 13 on affordable clean energy and climate action. “ISA harmonises global demand for solar technologies and finance, reshaping our energy landscape and helping us achieve the targets set by the Paris Agreement,” said Mathur. He stressed that the next five years are critical in accelerating climate action and urged all stakeholders to make this decade count in favor of sustainability.
The Assembly’s proceedings will include a High-Level Conference on New Technologies for Clean Energy Transition on November 5, 2024. The event, hosted in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank and International Solar Energy Society, will bring together ministers, policymakers, and industry leaders to share knowledge and foster real-world change through solar energy deployment.
The Assembly will conclude with a visit to a farm site near Najafgarh on November 6, showcasing the practical implementation of agrivoltaic systems. This innovative approach involves using land for both agriculture and solar energy generation, contributing to energy and food security.
The Seventh Session of the ISA Assembly promises to be a crucial platform for accelerating global solar energy adoption, fostering innovation, and promoting collaborative efforts to combat climate change.
