International RelationsImportant2024-11-04

Seventh Session of the ISA Assembly

In News

What Happened

At the 7th Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) held in New Delhi in November 2024, India and France were elected as President and Co-President for the 2024-2026 term. The assembly appointed India's Ashish Khanna as the new Director General of the ISA. Additionally, the 3rd edition of the World Solar Report series was launched, highlighting explosive global solar capacity growth and green hydrogen potential in Africa.

Why It Matters

India's unanimous re-election as President cements its leadership role in the global transition to renewable energy and climate change mitigation. Retaining key leadership positions and hosting the assembly strengthens India's geopolitical influence, particularly in championing clean energy access, technology transfer, and financing for the Global South.

Background

History & Context

The International Solar Alliance (ISA) was jointly launched by India and France at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris in 2015 to mobilize investments and advance solar technology globally. Headquartered in Gurugram, India, the alliance has grown to include over 120 member and signatory countries. The ISA Assembly is its apex decision-making body, meeting annually at the ministerial level to assess the impact of its programs on energy access, security, and transition.

What Changed

▶
Executive Leadership: BEFORE Dr. Ajay Mathur served as the Director General of the ISA since 2021. NOW Ashish Khanna from India was selected at the 7th Assembly as the third Director General to lead the alliance starting March 2025.
▶
Co-Presidency Contest: BEFORE France served as the co-president alongside India without a contested election at the 6th Assembly. NOW The co-presidency was actively contested between France and Grenada, with France emerging victorious for the 2024-2026 term.
▶
Data and Strategy Publication: BEFORE Global solar progress was tracked through earlier editions of ISA reports. NOW The assembly launched the comprehensive 3rd World Solar Report series consisting of four distinct reports, revealing that global solar capacity reached 1,418.97 GW in 2023 and mapping green hydrogen readiness in Africa.

Prelims Angle

NCERT Connection

This event directly connects to Class 12 Geography Chapter 8 (Environmental and Natural Resources), which explores non-conventional energy sources and global environmental politics. The ISA's initiatives, including the One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG) and efforts to finance renewable energy in developing nations, represent practical applications of sustainable resource management and international cooperation to address global climate challenges.

Practice Questions

Q1

With Reference To

With reference to the 7th Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) held in 2024, consider the following statements: 1. India and France were elected as the President and Co-President of the ISA for the 2024-2026 term. 2. The assembly launched the Green Hydrogen Readiness Assessment for African Countries as part of its World Solar Report series. 3. Ashish Khanna was selected as the new Director General, succeeding Dr. Ajay Mathur. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Up next