Question : International Solar Alliance

(a) the names of the countries that have joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA) so far and those which are likely to join in near future;
(b) whether ISA will help the group to address energy needs and will be able to access to low cost finance and technology to boost the production of solar energy, if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether this Alliance provides a platform for 121 prospective member countries to collaborate and address the identified gaps through a common agreed approach, if so, the details in this regard; and
(d) whether ISA will prove to be a major international body with its headquarter in India like UN office in New York and WHO office in Geneva, if so, the details in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR POWER, COAL, NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY & MINES (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a): The Framework Agreement of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) was opened for signature on 15 November 2016 in Marrakech, Morocco on the side-lines of 22nd meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP-22) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC). So far, 24 countries have signed the Agreement. These are Bangladesh, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Fiji, France, Republic of Guinea, Guinea Bissau, India, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Nauru, Niger, Senegal, Seychelles, Sudan, Tanzania, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Tonga. The Framework Agreement of the ISA is open for signature for the remaining 97 prospective member countries of the ISA.
(b) & (c): The ISA, as an alliance of 121 solar resource rich countries, lying fully or partially between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, provides a common platform for increasing utilization of solar energy in meeting energy needs of the ISA member countries through coordinated action for lowering the cost of finance; achieving speed, scale, and skill for deploying available technologies; facilitating strategic and collaborative solar research and development; and capacity building.
(d): With ratification, acceptance or approval of the Framework Agreement of the ISA by 15 countries, theISA will be a major international body with its Headquarters in India.
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