ISA’s Asia-Pacific Meet in Colombo to Strengthen Regional Solar Cooperation

The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is set to host the Seventh Regional Committee Meeting (RCM) for the Asia and the Pacific Region from July 15 to 17 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

This key event aims to accelerate regional collaboration and expand solar energy deployment by bringing together government officials, technical universities, think tanks, institutional partners, and private sector leaders. Themed 'Advancing Solar Cooperation Across a Region of Diversity and Opportunity,' the three-day meeting will focus on strengthening the Asia-Pacific region’s leadership in the global solar transition through strategic dialogue, knowledge exchange, and action-oriented outcomes.

ISA Director General Ashish Khanna emphasised the significance of the meeting, stating that the Asia-Pacific region lies at the heart of the global clean energy transition. He said the RCM presents an opportunity to develop practical, investment-ready solutions that can be replicated across borders and technologies.

These include regional solar platforms for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), regional interconnections, scaling solar-digital integration, and advancing technologies like green hydrogen and energy storage. The RCM will be chaired by Sri Lanka, which currently holds the vice-presidency for the region, and will align regional solar priorities with ISA’s broader strategic goals.

The meeting will focus on expanding catalytic finance mechanisms to de-risk solar investments, advancing ISA’s vision of a 'Silicon Valley for Solar' through technical hubs and startup challenges, and developing regional procurement platforms like the SIDS e-marketplace to boost demand aggregation.

It will also support policy innovation and the adoption of advanced solar technologies, building on ISA’s joint green hydrogen ecosystem project with the Asian Development Bank, showcased earlier this year at the Asia Clean Energy Forum in Manila. Key publications from that project, including the Framework for Green Hydrogen Hubs and country-level readiness assessments, will serve as reference points for policy discussions in Colombo.

The RCM will further explore frameworks for cross-border solar trade, financing models, and regional grid infrastructure to expand solar access and reduce costs. Sessions will also address capacity-building through STAR Centres in countries like Bhutan, Papua New Guinea, and Kiribati, alongside digital learning platforms to close skill gaps across the region. Discussions will also focus on advancing e-mobility and storage solutions, particularly for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and SIDS.

The meeting is expected to culminate in the signing of Country Partnership Frameworks and agreements with regional and international organisations to deepen collaboration and expand ISA’s reach across the Asia-Pacific. It will also explore the establishment of new regional STAR Centres to enhance institutional capacity and technical expertise.

Seen as a key milestone in ISA’s regional engagement, the Colombo RCM is expected to pave the way for impactful programmes, resilient partnerships, and long-term strategies that align with ISA’s Framework Agreement and global climate goals.