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Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
President Murmu Addresses Eighth Session of
the ISA Assembly; Calls on the Global South to
Lead Inclusive Solar Development Before
Representatives from 137 Countries
India remains steadfast in its commitment to work with all
ISA Member Countries to build a solar-powered world:
President Murmu
Through ISA, India Is Turning the Voice of the Global South
into Action: Union Minister & President of ISA Shri Pralhad
Joshi
Global South at the Centre of Solar Revolution: ISA and
India Lead the Way Towards Inclusive, Resilient, and Solar-
Powered Future
Posted On: 28 OCT 2025 6:11PM by PIB Delhi
The Hon’ble President of India, H. E. Smt. Droupadi Murmu delivered a keynote address at the
Eighth Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly today at the iconic Bharat
Mandapam in New Delhi. This marked the first-ever address by the President of India to the ISA
Assembly, underscoring India’s commitment to ISA's leadership in advancing global solar energy
cooperation and its founding vision of “One World, One Sun, One Grid advanced by the Hon’ble
Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. The President’s address set the tone for the Assembly’s
high-level deliberations, which are hosting ministers, policymakers, and international partners from
125 Member and Signatory Countries, with the unanimous intention of accelerating global
cooperation and investment in solar energy. This is an important global convening with the
participation of over 550 delegates and 30 Ministers and Vice Ministers, which takes place a few days
before COP30, to be hosted in Brazil.In her keynote address, Hon’ble President of India, H.E. Smt Droupadi Murmu said, “The
International Solar Alliance 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 further added, “As this Assembly deliberates on the way forward, I urge all Member Countries to
think beyond infrastructure and focus on the lives of the people. I urge this Assembly to develop a
collective action plan that links solar energy with job creation, women’s leadership, rural livelihoods,
and digital inclusion. Our progress should not only be measured through megawatts but through the
number of lives illuminated, the number of families strengthened, and the number of communities
transformed. The focus should also be on technology development and on sharing the latest and
advanced technologies with all for maximum benefit. As we expand large-scale solar installations, we
should ensure that the ecological balance of the region is preserved. After all, environment
conservation for future is the very reason we are turning to green energy.”
The ISA, announced at COP21 in Paris, has evolved into a confident, results-driven institution
underlining the notion of ambition to action. Over the past decade, it has moved from setting a global
vision for solar energy to delivering measurable impact across Member Countries. Guided by its
evolving vision anchored around four strategic pillars—Catalytic Finance Hub, Global Capability
Centre & Digitisation, Regional and Country-Level Engagement, and Technology Roadmap & Policy
—the Alliance is building a comprehensive ecosystem that mobilises investment, enhances capacity,
informs policy, and promotes technological innovation, ensuring that solar energy becomes
accessible, reliable, and affordable worldwide.
Shri Pralhad Joshi, Hon’ble Minister for New and Renewable Energy, India & President of ISA
Assembly, said, “ISA is a true symbol of global cooperation and shared purpose. For thousands of
years, India has shown how faith and progress, nature and growth, can move together in harmony.
Just over a decade ago, India’s renewable energy journey was only beginning. Our challenge was to
bring light to hundreds of millions of homes. Today, India stands at the forefront, not just as a
participant but a leader in the global energy transition. India is now the world’s 4th-largest in RE
capacity. This transformation was led by Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. Under hisleadership, India achieved the Nationally Determined Contribution target of 50% capacity from non-
fossil sources, 5 years ahead of the deadline. India is the voice of the Global South. And through ISA,
we are turning that voice into action, helping nations harness solar power and share technology.”
Representing the French Co-Presidency of the International Solar Alliance, H.E. Mrs Eléonore
Caroit, French Minister of State (Ministre Déléguée) for Francophonie, International
Partnerships and French Nationals Abroad, said in a video message: “France attaches the utmost
importance to the International Solar Alliance, which plays a pivotal role in advancing solar energy.
Since the launch of the Alliance nearly ten years ago, France has had the honour of serving as co-
president alongside India. This longstanding partnership reflects our unwavering commitment to the
success of the Alliance and to the acceleration of the energy transition through solar power
deployment.”
H.E. Mr Benoit FARACO, Special Envoy for Climate, French Ministry for Europe and Foreign
Affairs, said, “The Alliance’s work directly contributes to the implementation of COP decisions. Ten
years ago, we adopted the Paris Agreement and decided on a common objective to limit global
warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. We look forward to seeing ISA showcase its success at
COP30 this November.” France also announced financial support to ISA’s flagship initiative, the
Africa Solar Facility.
“The world is at a turning point in the solar revolution — it took 25 years to build the first 1,000 GW
of solar capacity, but only two years to add the next 1,000 GW. With capacity set to double again
within four years, the Global South stands at the centre of this transformation,” said Mr Ashish
Khanna, Director General, International Solar Alliance. “ISA is now moving from advocacy to
action — taking India’s successful solar experience in large-scale deployment, innovation, and
affordability to countries across the Global South. Through initiatives such as joint procurement by
Small Island Developing States, the Africa Solar Facility, the launch of the Global Capability Centre,
new programmes on circularity & waste management, and a dedicated programme on OSOWOG, weare helping nations move from pilots to scale — building solar economies that are sustainable,
inclusive, and regenerative. This is the moment for Global South leadership in shaping an inclusive,
resilient, and solar-powered future.”
India’s achievements in solar energy are a powerful source of inspiration. Now the world’s third-
largest solar power producer, India has achieved 50% of its total installed capacity from non-fossil
fuel sources five years ahead of its 2030 target, avoided nearly ₹4 lakh crore (USD ~46 billion) in
fossil fuel imports and pollution-related costs, and produced over 1,08,000 GWh of solar electricity.
Through ISA, India will help replicate successful initiatives such as PM Surya Ghar – Muft Bijli
Yojana and PM-KUSUM across developing countries, particularly in Africa and small island nations.
These programmes demonstrate the transformative impact of decentralised, people-focused energy
solutions—powering homes, supporting livelihoods, and taking energy access to the last mile. This is
a shining example of South–South cooperation, sharing lessons, scaling solutions, and accelerating
global solar adoption.
Key Highlights:
Launch of SUNRISE — the Solar Upcycling Network for Recycling, Innovation &
Stakeholder Engagement. SUNRISE will connect governments, industries, and innovators to
unlock the value embedded in solar waste, transforming end-of-life challenges into engines of
new industrial growth, green employment, and sustainable resource management.
A dedicated One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG) programme, creating a vertical to
drive regional solar interconnections. A forthcoming report identifies priority links across East
Asia–South Asia, South Asia–Middle East, Middle East–Europe, and Europe–Africa, with
feasibility studies and regulatory work set to begin over the next 2–3 years.
Ministers and heads of delegations from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) signed an in-pr
inciple Memorandum of Understanding for Procurement under the SIDS Platform, jointly
developed by the ISA and the World Bank Group. The signing reaffirmed the commitment of
16 Member Countries (Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Commonwealth of Dominica, Sri Lanka,
Dominican Republic, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, Nauru, Suriname, Saint Kitts & Nevis,
Solomon Islands, Maldives, Seychelles, Mauritius, Fiji, Marshall Islands) to advancing solar
energy deployment through coordinated procurement, digital integration, and capacity-building
to enhance energy resilience.
Unveiling of the Global Capability Centre pursuing the vision of Silicon Valley for solar in
India using a hub-and-spoke model connecting existing national centres of excellence operating
as Solar Technology Application Resource Centre (STAR-C) and introduction to the ISA
Academy, an online platform with AI-driven personalised learning pathways that democratise
access to solar-related knowledge for all.
The Assembly will also witness the launch of five ISA knowledge products — Ease of Doing Solar
2025, Solar PV Skills and Jobs in Africa, Solar Compass: Special Issue on Integrated
Photovoltaics, Global Floating Solar Framework, and Global Solar Trends & Outlook 2025.
These reports will highlight key trends shaping the global solar landscape:
Ease of Doing Solar (EODS) notes that global investments in the energy transition reached
USD 2083 billion in 2024, with ISA Member Countries contributing USD 861.2 billion,
underscoring the rising leadership of the Global South in shaping the clean energy future.Renewable energy attracted USD 725 billion, of which solar power accounted for USD 521
billion—cementing its position as the dominant driver of the global energy transformation.
Solar PV Skills and Jobs in Africa projects the continent’s solar workforce to grow from
226,000 today to 2.5–4.2 million by 2050. Technicians will drive this growth, with 1.3 million
roles expected, and small-scale systems accounting for 55% of all jobs. ISA calls for stronger
certification, future-ready training, digital learning, and regional cooperation to build a skilled
solar workforce for Africa’s clean energy future.
Global Solar Trends & Outlook 2025 examines the transformation of solar energy from an
emerging technology to the dominant force in global clean energy expansion. This
comprehensive report provides decision-makers, investors, and development partners with
critical insights into the evolving solar landscape.
Solar Compass – Special Issue on Integrated PV Applications highlights that now is the
moment for Global South leadership in solar innovation. With nearly 70% of buildings in
developing countries yet to be constructed, Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) offers a
transformative opportunity to embed solar into the very fabric of future infrastructure. Through
ISA-led initiatives, efforts are underway to reduce BIPV costs to rooftop solar levels and
promote enabling policies—such as solar-ready housing codes—across the Global South.
Global Floating Solar Framework projects global floating solar capacity to expand rapidly
over the next decade, with the Asia-Pacific region expected to lead this growth. This expansion
reflects falling generation costs, currently between USD 0.05 and 0.07 per kWh, and continued
design innovations that are making floating solar a viable alternative to land-based systems.
The framework equips countries with the tools to develop strategies tailored to their unique
geographies, markets, and social contexts.
The Assembly will conclude with a site visit to BSES Rajdhani Power Limited’s Kilokri Battery
Energy Storage System, India’s largest standalone urban BESS, and the Digital Twin of Network
Project in Janakpuri, a landmark initiative introducing India’s first large-scale, real-time digital twin
for power distribution.
The Eighth Session of the ISA Assembly reaffirms the Alliance’s commitment to global solar
collaboration, innovation, and sustainable development, showcasing how partnerships, knowledge
sharing, and technology can together deliver a solar-powered future for all.
About the International Solar Alliance:
The International Solar Alliance is a global initiative launched in 2015 by India and France at COP21
in Paris. It has 125 Member and Signatory Countries. The Alliance works with governments to
improve energy access and security worldwide and promotes solar power as a sustainable transition to
a clean energy future.
ISA’s evolving vision is anchored on four strategic pillars: (1) Catalytic Finance Hub to unlock and
mobilise investments at scale; (2) Global Capability Centre and Digitisation to foster innovation,
digital platforms, and capacity building across Member Countries; (3) Regional and Country-level
Engagement to drive tailored interventions through strategic partnerships and (4) Technology
Roadmap and Policy to accelerate the deployment of emerging solar technologies through actionable
policy frameworks and knowledge resources.With its advocacy for solar-powered solutions, ISA aims to transform lives, bring clean, reliable, and
affordable energy to communities worldwide, fuel sustainable growth, and improve quality of life. On
6 December 2017, 15 countries signed and ratified the ISA Framework Agreement, making ISA the
first international intergovernmental organisation to be headquartered in India.
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