(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) NEW DELHI, March 11 (KUNA) -- India on Sunday hosted the first International Solar Alliance (ISA) conference in New Delhi to explore ways of enhancing international cooperation in producing sustainable and clean energy.
The Indian government, in a document named 'Delhi Solar Agenda,' said the founding conference, co-chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting French President Emmanuel Macron with the participation of more than 120 representatives, expressed commitment of founding states to a clean and healthy world for the current generation and beyond, rooted in sustainable lifestyles.
Leaders from the member countries, who welcomed the location of the ISA Secretariat in India, recognized combating climate change as a common priority for humankind.
They urged the global community to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy services in order to reduce the effect of climate change.
The conference also underlined that solar energy is an alternative which offers a clean and climate friendly source, capable of ensuring energy security to the people of member states and better their lives.
The document also stressed eradication of poverty in all its forms as outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and pledged their commitment to it. They members reiterated their vision of transforming the world so technological development and applications would be climate-sensitive and would respect the existing biodiversity.
The conference also recognized "the New Urban Agenda's commitment to promoting environmental sustainability through promoting clean energy." The conference also opined that the ISA is capable of realizing sustainability through "growth, enhancing skills, creating jobs, unleashing entrepreneurship, fostering innovation and increasing incomes." The member states in the Alliance also pledged to "facilitate affordable finance, access to appropriate, clean and environment friendly technology and undertake capacity building, including forging mutually beneficial partnerships with reputable international institutions and reputable financial institutions for the benefit of developing countries." The Alliance also promised to find innovative financing mechanisms capable of building market for cost effective solar technologies along with positive policy initiatives to prompt public and private investments to bring down solar project expenses in developing countries.
It also welcomed efforts to conduct joint research and development project among member states to develop appropriate business models, cost effective standards and innovative technical applications.
Following the Paris Conference, Indian Prime Minister Modi along with the then French President Francois Hollande announced plans to form the International Solar Alliance in order to ensure clean and affordable energy to all.
Thirty-two countries including India, France, Australia, Bangladesh, Sudan, Sri Lanka, the UAE and Venezuela have already signed and ratified the ISA agreement while 30 countries including Algeria, Brazil, Egypt, Nigeria and Yemen have signed but not ratified the same. (end) atk.bs
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