(MENAFN- KNN India) New Delhi, Oct 30 (KNN) President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday delivered the keynote address at the 8th Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly, held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

The session convened ministers, policymakers and delegates from 125 member and signatory nations, ahead of COP30 in Brazil, to accelerate cooperation and investment in solar energy.

In her remarks, President Murmu said,“The ISA has already made remarkable progress, including the Global Solar Facility, Small Island Developing States Platform, Africa's solar mini-grids and emerging digital innovations.”

“The next step must be deeper inclusivity, ensuring that no woman, no farmer, no village, and no small island is left behind in this solar revolution. India remains steadfast in its commitment to work with all ISA Member Countries to build a solar-powered world-one in which every region, from the smallest island to the largest continent, prospers,” she added.

Pralhad Joshi, Minister for New and Renewable Energy and President, ISA Assembly, highlighted that India's rise to the world's fourth-largest renewable energy capacity reflects a decade of sustained policy efforts.

He also noted that India achieved its Nationally Determined Contribution target of having 50 percent of installed capacity from non-fossil sources five years ahead of schedule.

Ashish Khanna, Director General of the ISA, said the organisation is transitioning“from advocacy to action,” leveraging India's successful experience in large-scale solar deployment, innovation and affordability to support countries across the Global South.

He highlighted key initiatives, including joint procurement for Small Island Developing States, the Africa Solar Facility, the launch of the Global Capability Centre, new programmes on circularity and waste management, and a dedicated OSOWOG programme.

“These efforts are helping nations move from pilots to scale - building solar economies that are sustainable, inclusive and regenerative,” he added.

Several significant initiatives were announced, among them the launch of SUNRISE, a global platform focused on solar recycling and upcycling.

A dedicated One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG) programme was also introduced to advance cross-border solar power transmission.

In addition, sixteen Small Island Developing States entered into a procurement agreement aimed at strengthening energy resilience, and the Global Capability Centre along with the ISA Academy were launched to support digital innovation and technical capacity-building in the solar ecosystem.

ISA also released multiple flagship reports, covering global investment trends, Africa's solar workforce pipeline, floating solar frameworks, integrated photovoltaics, and ease-of-doing-solar indicators.

Findings show solar attracted USD 521 billion in investment in 2024, reinforcing its position as the dominant clean-energy technology.
India, now the third-largest solar producer globally, has avoided nearly Rs 4 lakh crore in fossil-fuel expenses and generated over 1,08,000 GWh of solar power.

The ISA plans to help replicate Indian schemes such as PM Surya Ghar and PM-KUSUM across developing nations.

(KNN Bureau)

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