From October 27–30, 2025, New Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam will host the Eighth International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly, bringing together global leaders and stakeholders under the theme: “One Sun, One World, One Grid.” The Assembly aims to shape priorities for scaling solar energy, mobilising finance, and developing technology and policy frameworks ahead of COP30 in Brazil.
Launched jointly by India and France during COP21, the ISA is the largest treaty-based intergovernmental organisation from the Global South, comprising 124 Member and Signatory Countries.
India’s Solar Leadership on the Global Stage
At the Assembly’s curtain-raiser, Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi, MNRE Minister and ISA Assembly President, highlighted India’s renewable energy achievements:
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Renewable energy targets reached five years ahead of schedule
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Over 50% of installed electricity capacity now from non-fossil fuel sources
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Approx. 125 GW of solar capacity, making India the world’s third-largest solar producer
“Decentralised solar energy has transformed lives, powering rural homes, health centres, and farms,” Joshi said, citing the PM Surya Ghar – Muft Bijli Yojana, which benefits over 20 lakh households.
He also emphasised the success of the PM-KUSUM scheme, which is solarising agricultural pumps and driving rural energy transformation.
MNRE Secretary Shri Santosh Kumar Sarangi added that India ranks third globally in solar, fourth in wind, and third overall in renewable installations. India is now the second-largest solar module manufacturer and is advancing green hydrogen production with a target of five million tonnes by 2031.
ISA: Driving Global Solar Collaboration
ISA Director General Ashish Khanna highlighted the unprecedented pace of renewable energy adoption:
“It took oil 25 years to reach 1,000 GW—renewables achieved double that in just two years. For the first time, renewable generation has surpassed fossil generation.”
The Assembly will focus on four strategic pillars:
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Catalytic Finance Hub
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Global Capability Centre & Digitisation
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Regional & Country-Level Engagement
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Technology Roadmap & Policy
Key discussions will include:
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Mobilising finance through the Africa Solar Facility
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Advancing partnerships for Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
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Promoting innovation in floating solar, AI, OSOWOG, green hydrogen, and solar for agriculture
ISA will also launch flagship publications, Ease of Doing Solar 2025 and Solar Trends 2025, detailing global progress and pathways to scale solar deployment.
Global Outreach and Capacity Building
Ahead of the Assembly, ISA held regional meetings in Brussels, Colombo, Santiago, and Accra, with over 100 countries participating, reviewing progress on finance, innovation, and energy access.
Since its 2015 founding by India and France, ISA has worked to enhance global energy access, reduce technology costs, and promote solar investment, particularly in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and SIDS. By combining finance, policy, and technical support, ISA continues to make solar energy a cornerstone of sustainable development worldwide.
