The discussions are expected lead to a greater consensus for promoting the deployment of solar power

India's Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy Raj Kumar Singh inaugurated the Fifth Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in New Delhi on Tuesday.

India serves as the president of the ISA Assembly with France as co-president. In addition to delegates from 110 member and signatory nations and 18 prospective nations, ministers from 20 nations attended the 5th ISA Assembly's opening ceremony.

At the inaugural ceremony, Union Minister Singh said that the previous two years had given several reminders that the world's reliance on fossil fuels was bad for the economy and the environment.

"The good news is that we already have the tools we need to counter these, and the development in technology is making sure that even more effective resources are made available in the years to come. It is now up to us to decide how quickly we can deploy these," he said.

He added, "In this pursuit for energy transition, we also have the responsibility of enabling development in the parts of the world that lack access to energy and energy security."

He further said that it is part of ISA's mandate to support member countries in developing and implementing solar-ready national energy regulations, as well as collaborate with public and private sector organisations to take advantage of low-cost financing to advance ISA's solarization agenda.

“This alliance between India and France has made constant progress towards being an efficient, result-oriented international organization,” said France's Minister of State for Development, Francophonie and International Partnerships Chrysoula Zacharopoulou. She co-chaired the meeting along with Singh.

According to her, France deeply believes that the International Solar Alliance is a key initiative for global action against climate change. "The alliance has made constant progress towards being an efficient & result-oriented international organization," she pointed out.

According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the deliberations and discussions at the Fifth Assembly of ISA are expected to lead to a greater consensus among the comity for promoting the deployment of solar power.