Source: TH
Context: India will host the 8th International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly from October 27–30, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
About India will host the 8th International Solar Alliance (ISA):
What It Is?
- The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is a global intergovernmental organisation that promotes solar energy deployment worldwide to ensure energy access, energy security, and climate resilience.
- It serves as a collaborative platform for governments, industry, and financial institutions to accelerate the solar transition in developing nations.
Launched: 2015
Origin: Joint initiative by India and France during the COP21 Climate Summit in Paris.
Headquarters: Gurugram, India — making ISA the first international organisation headquartered in India.
Members:
- 124 member and signatory countries (as of 2025), including over 90 full members.
- Open to all UN member states after a 2020 framework amendment.
Aim:
- To mobilise USD 1 trillion in solar investments by 2030.
- To deliver clean energy access to 1 billion people and install 1,000 GW of solar capacity globally.
- To promote low-cost, sustainable, and equitable energy systems through solar power, especially in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Functions:
- Policy & Advocacy: Supports governments in designing solar-friendly policies and regulations through “Ease of Doing Solar” analytics and annual solar investment reports.
- Programmatic Support: Implements and scales solar projects in agriculture, health, transport, and energy sectors — including replication of India’s PM-KUSUM and PM Surya Ghar models in Africa and island nations.
- Financing Mechanisms:
- Operates the Africa Solar Facility (Ahmedabad-based) to provide risk guarantees and attract private capital for mini-grids and solar pumps.
- Aims to leverage $200 million by 2026 to mobilise up to $2–4 billion in investments.
- Capacity Building: Runs Solar Technology and Application Resource Centres (STAR-C) to train engineers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers in solar technologies.
- Knowledge & Collaboration: Works with MDBs, DFIs, private sector, and civil society to share data, innovation, and technology for affordable solar access.
