President Murmu Addresses 8th ISA Assembly, Urges Inclusive Global Solar Action

In a historic first, the Hon'ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, delivered the keynote address at the Eighth Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly on October 30, 2025, held at the majestic Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The address reaffirmed India's enduring leadership in global solar cooperation and set the tone for the Assembly's ambitious agenda, which convened over 550 delegates, including 30 Ministers and Vice Ministers from 125 Member and Signatory Countries.

With COP30 just around the corner in Brazil, the Assembly served as a critical global platform to accelerate cooperation and action toward a solar-powered world, guided by the ISA's founding principle: "One World, One Sun, One Grid."

President Murmu's Vision: Solar Power for People, Planet, and Prosperity

Delivering a passionate and visionary address, President Murmu lauded the ISA's achievements, including initiatives such as:

• The Global Solar Facility

• Solar Mini-Grid Platforms for Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

• Advancements in solar digitisation and innovation

She called for deeper inclusivity, stressing the importance of ensuring that "no woman, no farmer, no village, and no small island is left behind" in the solar revolution.

"Our progress must be measured not just in megawatts, but in the number of lives illuminated," said the President. She urged ISA members to connect solar energy with jobs, women's leadership, rural livelihoods, and digital access, advocating for a human-centric approach to clean energy development.

She also emphasized technology sharing, environmental balance, and intergenerational equity as essential pillars of global energy transition efforts.

India's Leadership and ISA's Expanding Mandate

Shri Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy and President of the ISA Assembly, reflected on India's meteoric rise in clean energy:

• Now 4th-largest in global renewable energy capacity

• Achieved 50% capacity from non-fossil sources — five years ahead of its 2030 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) target

• Avoided nearly ₹4 lakh crore (~USD 46 billion) in fossil fuel imports and pollution-related costs

He attributed these gains to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting India's role as a leader of the Global South, committed to inclusive, shared energy prosperity.

Global Support and France's Enduring Partnership

Representing France's co-presidency, H.E. Eléonore Caroit, French Minister of State for Francophonie and International Partnerships, affirmed France's long-standing partnership with ISA. She reiterated support for the Africa Solar Facility, ISA's flagship initiative for the continent.

H.E. Mr. Benoit Faraco, France's Climate Envoy, reminded delegates of the Paris Agreement's climate goals and praised ISA's role in translating COP decisions into practical implementation.

Ashish Khanna: Solar's Tipping Point and the Global South's Opportunity

Mr. Ashish Khanna, Director General of ISA, announced that the global solar sector is at an inflection point:

"It took 25 years to build the first 1,000 GW of solar capacity. The next 1,000 GW took just two years. Another doubling is expected within four years."

He spotlighted ISA's shift from advocacy to action, bringing India's success in affordable, large-scale solar deployment to the Global South. Key initiatives included:

• Joint procurement platforms for SIDS

• Africa Solar Facility

• ISA Academy — AI-powered, inclusive education on solar energy

• A new Global Capability Centre, a "Silicon Valley for solar"

• The SUNRISE platform to transform solar waste into circular economy opportunities

Key Global Announcements and Highlights

🌍 Launch of SUNRISE

The Solar Upcycling Network for Recycling, Innovation & Stakeholder Engagement (SUNRISE) was unveiled to unlock solar waste value and drive new green industries.

🌐 Dedicated OSOWOG Programme

A new vertical was launched under ISA to drive regional interconnections. Feasibility studies will begin for key corridors:

• East Asia–South Asia

• South Asia–Middle East

• Middle East–Europe

• Europe–Africa

🌴 MoU with 16 Small Island States

A group of 16 SIDS signed an in-principle MoU to advance joint solar procurement, digital platforms, and capacity-building through ISA's SIDS Platform and the World Bank Group.

⚡ Global Capability Centre (GCC)

ISA will now host a hub-and-spoke model of solar excellence connecting India's national centres (STAR-C), accelerating research, innovation, and skill development.

📘 Launch of Five Knowledge Products

1. Ease of Doing Solar 2025 – Highlights record USD 2083 billion in energy transition investments in 2024, with ISA nations contributing over USD 861 billion

2. Solar PV Skills and Jobs in Africa – Projects 2.5–4.2 million solar jobs in Africa by 2050, calls for certification and training pathways

3. Global Solar Trends & Outlook 2025 – A roadmap to solar dominance in global energy

4. Solar Compass: Integrated PV – Focuses on Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) to embed solar in future infrastructure

5. Global Floating Solar Framework – Projects massive growth in floating solar, led by the Asia-Pacific region

Site Visit: India's Smart Grid Future

The Assembly will conclude with a visit to India's largest standalone urban Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd's Kilokri facility, and the Janakpuri Digital Twin Project—a groundbreaking real-time power distribution simulation model.

ISA's Global Role: From Paris to COP30 and Beyond

Founded at COP21 in Paris, ISA has evolved into a results-oriented institution with four strategic pillars:

1. Catalytic Finance Hub

2. Global Capability Centre & Digitisation

3. Regional and Country-Level Engagement

4. Technology Roadmap & Policy Support

With its presence expanding across Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and Latin America, ISA is fast becoming the defining platform for solar transformation, showcasing a future where clean energy access, economic development, and environmental sustainability are seamlessly integrated.

As COP30 nears, the Eighth ISA Assembly reaffirms the commitment of nations—led by India and France—to a solar-powered, inclusive, and resilient future.