The ISA aims to promote energy transition, secure energy access, and ensure energy security
Paraguay became the 100th country to join as a full member of the International Solar Alliance with its Ambassador to India formally handing over Instrument of Ratification during a meeting in New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs announced on Wednesday (June 26, 2024).
 
"Paraguay becomes the 100th country to join as full member of the International Solar Alliance.
 
Paraguay handed over the @isolaralliance Instrument of Ratification, during the meeting of Ambassador Fleming Raul Duarte of with Head of Depository, JS (ED & MER) @Abhishekifs in New Delhi today," MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X, formerly Twitter. 
 
Spain became the 99th member of the ISA earlier this year, as it handed over the Instrument of Ratification on May 21, 2024.
 
The ISA was born as a coalition of solar resource-rich countries to address their unique energy needs. It was launched by India and France on the sidelines of the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris on November 30, 2015.
 
One of the significant driving philosophies of ISA is "One Sun One World One Grid" (OSOWOG).
 
The objective of the alliance is to mobilize efforts to reduce the cost of solar energy, facilitate its deployment, and bring together countries to address common challenges related to solar energy. To this end, the ISA aims to mobilize over USD 1 trillion in investments by 2030, it initiated India’s support of the global shift towards renewable energy.
 
India's Active Role in the ISA
 
The Sixth Assembly of the ISA in New Delhi in 2023 spotlighted India's role in pushing for increased viability gap funding for solar projects, enhancing the financial feasibility of solar energy deployment in developing nations. 
 
Under the ISA's initiatives, India has taken a leading role in promoting solar energy through various programmes focusing on affordable finance, capacity building, and technological innovation. In agriculture, India has led projects such as the Solar Pumping Programme, which aims to install solar-powered water pumps across various African nations.
 
India has also contributed to the Solar Electrification of Health Centres project, where it successfully brought solar power to remote health centres in countries like Malawi.