Shri R.K Singh, Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy today unveiled the curtain raiser for the Fifth Assembly of the International Solar Alliance along with accompanying events to be held in New Delhi from 17 to 20 October 2022. India holds the office of ISA Assembly Chair. This meeting is to be attended by ministers, missions and delegates from 109 member and signatory countries.
The meeting will be presided over by Shri R.K. Singh, Union Minister for Power, New and Renewable Energy. In his speech today, Shri R.K Singh noted that the pace of energy transformation in India is the fastest in the world. The International Solar Alliance is absolutely essential to our planet’s goal of energy transition. The minister said that solar energy is the cheapest source of energy, solar and mini-grids are the answer to universal access to energy in the world. In his speech, the Minister further noted that the ISA is a basic tool for fulfilling international obligations in the field of energy transformation.
The Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the ISA, in which every member country is represented. This body decides on the implementation of the ISA Framework Agreement and coordinates the measures to be taken to achieve its objective. The Assembly meets annually at ministerial level at the ISA headquarters. It assesses the overall effect of programs and other activities in terms of solar energy use, performance, reliability, cost and financial scope.
The Fifth ISA Assembly will discuss key ISA initiatives on the three critical issues of energy access, energy security and energy transition. World leaders from ISA member countries will also discuss ISA’s strategic plan in programmatic support for least developed and SIDS member countries, capacity building support for all developing member countries, and analysis and advocacy support for all member countries.
The 5th Assembly is expected to lead to greater agreement among countries to promote solar energy. Enhanced international cooperation will be the backbone of the energy transition, driving investment and creating millions of new green jobs in this key decade of climate action. The ISA Secretariat has scheduled a series of technical meetings on various ISA strategic initiatives and, in collaboration with partner organizations, a technical meeting on various pressing issues in the solar and clean energy sector on 19 October 2022. After the 5th General Meeting, three analytical reports will also be launched, namely:
• World Solar Technology Report
• Global Solar Market Report
• Global Solar Investment Report
ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ALLIANCE:
•The International Solar Alliance is an international organization with 109 member and signatory countries. It works with governments to improve energy access and security around the world and promotes solar energy as a sustainable way to transition to a carbon-neutral future.
• ISA’s mission is to unlock $1 trillion in investment in solar energy by 2030, while reducing the cost of the technology and its financing. It supports the use of solar energy in the agriculture, health, transport and energy sectors.
•ISA member countries are driving change through enacting policies and regulations, sharing best practices, agreeing on common standards and mobilizing investment. Through this work, ISA identified, designed and tested new business models for solar projects; supported governments to make their energy legislation and policy solar-friendly through Ease of Doing Solar analysis and advice; pooled demand for solar technology from different countries and reduced costs; better access to finance by reducing risks and increasing the attractiveness of the sector for private investment; better access to solar training, data and information for solar engineers and energy policy makers.
•With the signing and ratification of the ISA Framework Agreement by 15 countries on 6 December 2017, ISA became the first international intergovernmental organization to be headquartered in India. ISA works with Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), private and public sector organizations, civil society and other international institutions to deploy cost-effective and transformative solutions through solar energy, particularly in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and small island developing states (SIDS).
