NEW DELHI: Following the US exit from 65 international organisations, including the India-backed International Solar Alliance (ISA), the government said the alliance remains focused on its objective of supporting member countries to scale up solar energy.
According to government sources, the ISA will continue to work with member countries, particularly Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States, on the development and deployment of solar energy. Its work includes mobilising finance, building capacity, and reducing risk perceptions.
“ISA today represents 125 member/signatory countries. ISA remains focused on its objective of supporting member countries in collectively addressing key common challenges to scaling up of solar energy, in line with their needs, to achieve universal energy access,” said a government source.
The ISA is an initiative of India and France aimed at combating climate change through solar energy solutions. It was launched on the sidelines of the COP21 climate summit in Paris in 2015. Since then, the organisation has grown to include over 100 signatory countries, with more than 90 completing the formal ratification process to become full members.
The alliance aims to unlock $1 trillion in solar investments by 2030 while reducing technology and financing costs. ISA has supported several least developed countries in meeting their energy needs through solar power, decentralised renewable energy systems, and microgrids.
India currently holds the presidency of the organisation through Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi, while France holds the co-presidency.
Recently, while announcing its exit from the alliance, the US described such organisations as redundant in scope, mismanaged, unnecessary, wasteful, poorly run, captured by the interests of actors advancing their own agendas contrary to US interests, or as a threat to the nation’s sovereignty, freedoms, and general prosperity.