India and France Elected as President and Co-President of ISA

India and France elected as President and Co-President of ISA-  the International Solar Alliance (ISA) for the term 2024-2026. India, being the sole candidate, won the presidency, while France claimed the co-presidency in a competitive race against Grenada. This significant election underscores India’s leadership in advancing global solar initiatives and renewable energy adoption.

Key Election Results

• ISA President: India was unopposed for this role.
• ISA Co-President: France won the position, surpassing Grenada in the race.

Highlights of the 7th ISA Assembly

The Seventh Session of the ISA Assembly is taking place from 3rd to 6th November 2024, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Attended by ministers and representatives from 29 countries, the assembly discusses goals for expanding solar energy and its global impact. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, who represents India as ISA President, emphasized India’s dedication to global solar advancement, particularly under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership in solar project investments.

ISA’s Vision and Future Goals

With India and France at the helm, ISA aims to accelerate solar energy initiatives globally. The alliance has set a target to mobilize $1,000 billion by 2030 to support extensive solar energy adoption, lower costs, and drive technological innovations.

Vice Presidents and Vice Chairs

ISA has appointed Vice Presidents from each geographical region:

Region	Vice Presidents	Vice Chairs
Africa	Ghana, Seychelles	South Sudan, Comoros
Asia-Pacific	Australia, Sri Lanka	UAE, Papua New Guinea
Europe and Others	Germany, Italy	Greece, Norway
Latin America & Caribbean	Grenada, Suriname	Jamaica, Haiti

New Director General of ISA

Ashish Khanna has been designated as the next Director General of ISA, succeeding Ajay Mathur in March 2025.

ISA’s Support for LDCs and SIDS through Demonstration Projects

Since 2020, ISA has launched demonstration projects focused on solar technology applications in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). These projects support countries like Bhutan, Burkina Faso, and Mauritius in building local capacity for sustainable solar solutions.

Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for Solar Projects

ISA’s VGF scheme offers financial grants covering 10-35% of solar project costs for LDCs and SIDS, with countries identifying eligible projects and securing 90% of the project funding independently.

India’s “Panchamrit” Climate Pledge at COP26

India’s 2021 “Panchamrit” pledge at COP26 includes commitments such as achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2070. These ambitious goals align closely with ISA’s mission to promote renewable energy for climate action.

India and France Elected as President and Co-President of ISA Key Points

• India and France elected as ISA President and Co-President for 2024-2026.
• ISA’s Assembly in New Delhi hosts representatives from 29 countries.
• Eight Vice Presidents appointed from ISA’s four global regions.
• New Director General Ashish Khanna to take office in March 2025.
• ISA’s VGF scheme supports solar projects in LDCs and SIDS.
• India’s “Panchamrit” pledge aligns with ISA’s renewable energy goals.

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