Context:
Recently, Paraguay officially became the 100th country to join as a full member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
More on the news:
- Ambassador of Paraguay recently presented the Instrument of Ratification during a meeting with the Head of the Depository (Joint Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs of India), in New Delhi.
About International Solar Alliance:
- India and France launched the ISA together during COP21 in Paris in 2015, with the goal of supporting the Paris Climate Agreement through rapid and extensive deployment of solar power.
- ISA’s headquarters is located in Gurugram, India.
- It aims to enhance energy access, ensure energy security, and facilitate the global shift towards renewable energy among its member countries.
- Now 119 countries have signed the ISA Framework Agreement, and 100 countries have submitted their Instrument of Ratification.
- Earlier this year, Spain became the 99th member of the International Solar Alliance.
- The ISA serves as a vital platform for international collaboration, uniting nations in their efforts to combat climate change and transition towards clean energy sources on a global scale.
India’s role in expanding ISA:
- India, under its leadership of the ISA, is actively promoting renewable energy solutions worldwide, particularly in developing countries.
During its presidency, India has initiated several impactful projects such as: –
- solarizing Malawi’s Parliamentary building,
- establishing solar-powered healthcare centers in Fiji,
- setting up a solar-powered cold storage facility in Seychelles, and
- installing solar PV rooftop systems in Kiribati.
These efforts also include providing technical training to experts from member countries to enhance their capabilities in solar energy.
- India’s stewardship of the ISA reflects its strong commitment to sustainable energy and environmental responsibility.
- Through technology transfer, capacity-building programs, and bilateral agreements under the ISA framework, India continues to advance the global adoption of affordable and sustainable solar energy solutions.
Procedure for becoming a member of ISA:
- Certified copies of the framework agreement are provided by the Ministry of External Affairs of India, the designated Depository of the ISA Framework agreement.
- After that, the executive approval for signing and ratifying the ISA framework agreement is done.
- Certified copies of the framework agreement of the ISA are to be signed in original in three languages – English, Hindi, and French.
- Then the signed framework is to be submitted to the depository.
- After signing, the formal instrument of ratification, acceptance of approval needs to be deposited with the depository of the ISA to acquire full membership of the ISA.