Seventh Session Of International Solar Alliance Assembly

The Seventh Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly gets underway today in New Delhi. Two days into proceedings, key representatives from 60 countries gather under one roof. Over 1000 representatives from 120 member and signatory countries, partner organizations, and stakeholders worldwide unite hands to ensure increased access to global energy and transition.

In his address of welcome, Shri Joshi reiterated the fact that the ISA had indeed transformed itself to become an important cooperation platform for solar cooperation. He stated that the alliance was growing both in terms of membership and was playing an important role when it came to working with problems of access to energy and with those related to climate change. He emphasized that the medium-term potential of solar energy did indeed make a difference in changing world climate action because it was available and environmentally clean. According to Joshi, the ISA focused on expanding its solar infrastructure, creating jobs in the green economy, and supporting sustainable livelihoods.

Shri Ajay Yadav, Joint Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, addressed the gathering and spoke about investment and infrastructure that needed to be worked upon in ISA for global solar deployment. He has emphasized how the ISA is playing a proactive role in eradicating these barriers by manifold initiatives being taken towards boosting manufacturing capacity and accelerating the demand for solar energy. Yadav noted that out of 120 Member Countries of ISA, its Framework Agreement has been ratified by 102 countries, showing ISA’s increasing global reach.

The ISA’s Director General, Dr Ajay Mathur, points out that the organization is spearheading a number of initiatives at the global level towards attaining the Sustainable Development Goals, first and foremost to reinforce or draw closer towards the achievement of affordable and clean energy and climate action, among others. He regarded the ISA as a new revolutionary shift modernizing changes in the energy landscape and called for substantial involvement of stakeholders toward making relevant contributions toward the advancement of climate action.

Discussions at the assembly will take a focus on strategies for speeding up the deployment of solar in those areas worst off without energy. Such flagship initiatives include the SolarX Startup Challenge, an initiative that cultivates entrepreneurship in solar, and the STAR-C initiative aimed to build capacity and put in place skills in tune with national training needs. The Global Solar Facility also takes the central stage as it plays an important role in major investments being made in the least served regions.

The assembly will close on 6 November with a visit to an agrivoltaic site in Najafgarh that will be demonstrating the potential for simultaneous use of land for agriculture and solar energy generation. This session of the ISA Assembly will probably inspire cooperation and innovation to further propel the role of solar energy in addressing energy and climatic challenges around the world.

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