President Murmu Calls On Global South to Lead Inclusive Solar Development
President Droupadi Murmu addressed the Eighth Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly in New Delhi, becoming the first Indian President to do so. Her keynote underscored India’s leadership role in advancing the ISA’s mission and the global vision of “One World, One Sun, One Grid.”
October 29, 2025. By News Bureau
The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, delivered the keynote address at the Eighth Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly in New Delhi—marking the first time an Indian President has addressed the assembly. Her remarks reinforced India’s commitment to ISA’s global leadership and the vision of “One World, One Sun, One Grid” championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The assembly brings together ministers, policymakers, and international partners from 125 member and signatory countries to accelerate global collaboration and investment in solar energy. More than 550 delegates, including 30 ministers and vice ministers, are participating in this key global gathering ahead of COP30 in Brazil.
In her keynote address, Murmu said, “The International Solar Alliance has already made remarkable progress, including the Global Solar Facility, Small Island Developing States Platform, Africa’s solar mini-grids and emerging digital innovations. The next step must be deeper inclusivity, ensuring that no woman, no farmer, no village, and no small island is left behind in this solar revolution. India remains steadfast in its commitment to work with all ISA Member Countries to build a solar-powered world—one in which every region, from the smallest island to the largest continent, prospers.”
She further added, “As this Assembly deliberates on the way forward, I urge all member countries to think beyond infrastructure and focus on the lives of the people. I urge this assembly to develop a collective action plan that links solar energy with job creation, women’s leadership, rural livelihoods, and digital inclusion. Our progress should not only be measured through megawatts but through the number of lives illuminated, the number of families strengthened, and the number of communities transformed. The focus should also be on technology development and on sharing the latest and advanced technologies with all for maximum benefit. As we expand large-scale solar installations, we should ensure that the ecological balance of the region is preserved. After all, environment conservation for future is the very reason we are turning to green energy.”
The ISA, announced at COP21 in Paris, has evolved into a results-driven institution underlining the notion of ambition to action. Over the past decade, it has moved from setting a global vision for solar energy to delivering measurable impact across member countries.
Guided by its evolving vision anchored around four strategic pillars—Catalytic Finance Hub, Global Capability Centre & Digitisation, Regional and Country-Level Engagement, and Technology Roadmap & Policy—the alliance is building a comprehensive ecosystem that mobilises investment, enhances capacity, informs policy, and promotes technological innovation, ensuring that solar energy becomes accessible, reliable, and affordable worldwide.
Pralhad Joshi, Minister for New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), India & President, ISA Assembly, said, “ISA is a true symbol of global cooperation and shared purpose. For thousands of years, India has shown how faith and progress, nature and growth, can move together in harmony. Just over a decade ago, India’s renewable energy journey was only beginning. Our challenge was to bring light to hundreds of millions of homes. Today, India stands at the forefront, not just as a participant, but a leader in the global energy transition. India is now the world’s fourth-largest in RE capacity. This transformation was led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Under his leadership, India achieved the Nationally Determined Contribution target of 50 percent capacity from non-fossil sources, five years ahead of the deadline. India is the voice of the Global South. And through ISA, we are turning that voice into action, helping nations harness solar power and share technology.”
India’s achievements in solar energy are a powerful source of inspiration. Now the world’s third-largest solar power producer, India has achieved 50 percent of its total installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources five years ahead of its 2030 target, avoided nearly INR 4 lakh crore (USD ~46 billion) in fossil fuel imports and pollution-related costs, and produced over 1,08,000 GWh of solar electricity.
Representing the French Co-Presidency of the International Solar Alliance, Eléonore Caroit, French Minister of State (Ministre Déléguée) for Francophonie, International Partnerships and French Nationals Abroad, said in a video message, “France attaches the utmost importance to the International Solar Alliance, which plays a pivotal role in advancing solar energy. Since the launch of the Alliance nearly 10 years ago, France has had the honour of serving as co-president alongside India. This longstanding partnership reflects our unwavering commitment to the success of the Alliance and to the acceleration of the energy transition through solar power deployment.”
Through ISA, India will help replicate successful initiatives such as PM Surya Ghar–Muft Bijli Yojana and PM-KUSUM across developing countries, particularly in Africa and small island nations. These programmes demonstrate the transformative impact of decentralised, people-focused energy solutions—powering homes, supporting livelihoods, and taking energy access to the last mile. This is a shining example of South–South cooperation, sharing lessons, scaling solutions, and accelerating global solar adoption.
Benoit FARACO, Special Envoy for Climate, French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, said, “The Alliance’s work directly contributes to the implementation of COP decisions. Ten years ago, we adopted the Paris Agreement and decided on a common objective to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. We look forward to seeing ISA showcase its success at COP30 this November.”
France also announced financial support to ISA’s flagship initiative, the Africa Solar Facility.
Ashish Khanna, Director General, International Solar Alliance, said, “The world is at a turning point in the solar revolution—it took 25 years to build the first 1,000 GW of solar capacity, but only two years to add the next 1,000 GW. With capacity set to double again within four years, the Global South stands at the centre of this transformation. ISA is now moving from advocacy to action—taking India’s successful solar experience in large-scale deployment, innovation, and affordability to countries across the Global South. Through initiatives such as joint procurement by Small Island Developing States, the Africa Solar Facility, the launch of the Global Capability Centre, new programmes on circularity & waste management, and a dedicated programme on OSOWOG, we are helping nations move from pilots to scale—building solar economies that are sustainable, inclusive, and regenerative. This is the moment for Global South leadership in shaping an inclusive, resilient, and solar-powered future.”
The Assembly featured several major announcements, including the launch of SUNRISE — the Solar Upcycling Network for Recycling, Innovation & Stakeholder Engagement, designed to connect governments, industries, and innovators to harness value from solar waste, creating green jobs and supporting sustainable resource use.
ISA also introduced a dedicated programme for One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG) to advance regional solar interconnections, with a new report outlining priority links across East Asia–South Asia, South Asia–Middle East, Middle East–Europe, and Europe–Africa, along with feasibility and regulatory work planned over the next 2–3 years.
Additionally, ministers and delegations from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) signed an in-principle MoU supporting joint procurement under the SIDS Platform, developed with the World Bank Group, reaffirming the commitment of 16 member countries to coordinated solar deployment and enhanced energy resilience. The event also saw the unveiling of a Global Capability Centre to drive India’s ambition of becoming a “Silicon Valley for solar,” through a hub-and-spoke model connecting STAR-C centres of excellence, along with the introduction of the ISA Academy, an AI-enabled digital platform offering personalised learning and global access to solar knowledge.
The assembly will also see the release of five ISA knowledge products—Ease of Doing Solar 2025, Solar PV Skills and Jobs in Africa, Solar Compass: Special Issue on Integrated Photovoltaics, Global Floating Solar Framework, and Global Solar Trends & Outlook 2025—each offering critical insights into the evolving global solar landscape. The Ease of Doing Solar 2025 report highlights that global energy transition investments reached USD 2083 Billion in 2024, with ISA Member Countries contributing USD 861.2 Billion, while solar power alone attracted USD 521 Billion, reinforcing its position as the leading pillar of clean energy growth.
The Solar PV Skills and Jobs in Africa study forecasts a surge in the continent’s solar workforce—from 226,000 today to 2.5–4.2 million by 2050—driven primarily by technicians and small-scale systems, and underscores the need for robust certification and digital learning systems. Global Solar Trends & Outlook 2025 provides decision-makers and investors with an in-depth analysis of solar energy’s rapid rise as the dominant clean energy source worldwide.
The Solar Compass issue on Integrated Photovoltaics calls attention to the unique opportunity for the Global South, where nearly 70 percent of future building stock is yet to be developed, enabling Building-Integrated PV solutions to be embedded into infrastructure from the outset—supported by ISA efforts to reduce costs and introduce solar-ready housing policies. Meanwhile, the Global Floating Solar Framework projects significant capacity growth over the next decade—led by the Asia-Pacific region—driven by declining generation costs of USD 0.05–0.07 per kWh and clear strategies to support deployment tailored to each nation’s environment and market conditions.
The Assembly will conclude with a site visit to BSES Rajdhani Power’s Kilokri Battery Energy Storage System, India’s largest standalone urban BESS, and the digital twin of Network Project in Janakpuri, a landmark initiative introducing India’s first large-scale, real-time digital twin for power distribution.
The assembly brings together ministers, policymakers, and international partners from 125 member and signatory countries to accelerate global collaboration and investment in solar energy. More than 550 delegates, including 30 ministers and vice ministers, are participating in this key global gathering ahead of COP30 in Brazil.
In her keynote address, Murmu said, “The International Solar Alliance has already made remarkable progress, including the Global Solar Facility, Small Island Developing States Platform, Africa’s solar mini-grids and emerging digital innovations. The next step must be deeper inclusivity, ensuring that no woman, no farmer, no village, and no small island is left behind in this solar revolution. India remains steadfast in its commitment to work with all ISA Member Countries to build a solar-powered world—one in which every region, from the smallest island to the largest continent, prospers.”
She further added, “As this Assembly deliberates on the way forward, I urge all member countries to think beyond infrastructure and focus on the lives of the people. I urge this assembly to develop a collective action plan that links solar energy with job creation, women’s leadership, rural livelihoods, and digital inclusion. Our progress should not only be measured through megawatts but through the number of lives illuminated, the number of families strengthened, and the number of communities transformed. The focus should also be on technology development and on sharing the latest and advanced technologies with all for maximum benefit. As we expand large-scale solar installations, we should ensure that the ecological balance of the region is preserved. After all, environment conservation for future is the very reason we are turning to green energy.”
The ISA, announced at COP21 in Paris, has evolved into a results-driven institution underlining the notion of ambition to action. Over the past decade, it has moved from setting a global vision for solar energy to delivering measurable impact across member countries.
Guided by its evolving vision anchored around four strategic pillars—Catalytic Finance Hub, Global Capability Centre & Digitisation, Regional and Country-Level Engagement, and Technology Roadmap & Policy—the alliance is building a comprehensive ecosystem that mobilises investment, enhances capacity, informs policy, and promotes technological innovation, ensuring that solar energy becomes accessible, reliable, and affordable worldwide.
Pralhad Joshi, Minister for New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), India & President, ISA Assembly, said, “ISA is a true symbol of global cooperation and shared purpose. For thousands of years, India has shown how faith and progress, nature and growth, can move together in harmony. Just over a decade ago, India’s renewable energy journey was only beginning. Our challenge was to bring light to hundreds of millions of homes. Today, India stands at the forefront, not just as a participant, but a leader in the global energy transition. India is now the world’s fourth-largest in RE capacity. This transformation was led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Under his leadership, India achieved the Nationally Determined Contribution target of 50 percent capacity from non-fossil sources, five years ahead of the deadline. India is the voice of the Global South. And through ISA, we are turning that voice into action, helping nations harness solar power and share technology.”
India’s achievements in solar energy are a powerful source of inspiration. Now the world’s third-largest solar power producer, India has achieved 50 percent of its total installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources five years ahead of its 2030 target, avoided nearly INR 4 lakh crore (USD ~46 billion) in fossil fuel imports and pollution-related costs, and produced over 1,08,000 GWh of solar electricity.
Representing the French Co-Presidency of the International Solar Alliance, Eléonore Caroit, French Minister of State (Ministre Déléguée) for Francophonie, International Partnerships and French Nationals Abroad, said in a video message, “France attaches the utmost importance to the International Solar Alliance, which plays a pivotal role in advancing solar energy. Since the launch of the Alliance nearly 10 years ago, France has had the honour of serving as co-president alongside India. This longstanding partnership reflects our unwavering commitment to the success of the Alliance and to the acceleration of the energy transition through solar power deployment.”
Through ISA, India will help replicate successful initiatives such as PM Surya Ghar–Muft Bijli Yojana and PM-KUSUM across developing countries, particularly in Africa and small island nations. These programmes demonstrate the transformative impact of decentralised, people-focused energy solutions—powering homes, supporting livelihoods, and taking energy access to the last mile. This is a shining example of South–South cooperation, sharing lessons, scaling solutions, and accelerating global solar adoption.
Benoit FARACO, Special Envoy for Climate, French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, said, “The Alliance’s work directly contributes to the implementation of COP decisions. Ten years ago, we adopted the Paris Agreement and decided on a common objective to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. We look forward to seeing ISA showcase its success at COP30 this November.”
France also announced financial support to ISA’s flagship initiative, the Africa Solar Facility.
Ashish Khanna, Director General, International Solar Alliance, said, “The world is at a turning point in the solar revolution—it took 25 years to build the first 1,000 GW of solar capacity, but only two years to add the next 1,000 GW. With capacity set to double again within four years, the Global South stands at the centre of this transformation. ISA is now moving from advocacy to action—taking India’s successful solar experience in large-scale deployment, innovation, and affordability to countries across the Global South. Through initiatives such as joint procurement by Small Island Developing States, the Africa Solar Facility, the launch of the Global Capability Centre, new programmes on circularity & waste management, and a dedicated programme on OSOWOG, we are helping nations move from pilots to scale—building solar economies that are sustainable, inclusive, and regenerative. This is the moment for Global South leadership in shaping an inclusive, resilient, and solar-powered future.”
The Assembly featured several major announcements, including the launch of SUNRISE — the Solar Upcycling Network for Recycling, Innovation & Stakeholder Engagement, designed to connect governments, industries, and innovators to harness value from solar waste, creating green jobs and supporting sustainable resource use.
ISA also introduced a dedicated programme for One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG) to advance regional solar interconnections, with a new report outlining priority links across East Asia–South Asia, South Asia–Middle East, Middle East–Europe, and Europe–Africa, along with feasibility and regulatory work planned over the next 2–3 years.
Additionally, ministers and delegations from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) signed an in-principle MoU supporting joint procurement under the SIDS Platform, developed with the World Bank Group, reaffirming the commitment of 16 member countries to coordinated solar deployment and enhanced energy resilience. The event also saw the unveiling of a Global Capability Centre to drive India’s ambition of becoming a “Silicon Valley for solar,” through a hub-and-spoke model connecting STAR-C centres of excellence, along with the introduction of the ISA Academy, an AI-enabled digital platform offering personalised learning and global access to solar knowledge.
The assembly will also see the release of five ISA knowledge products—Ease of Doing Solar 2025, Solar PV Skills and Jobs in Africa, Solar Compass: Special Issue on Integrated Photovoltaics, Global Floating Solar Framework, and Global Solar Trends & Outlook 2025—each offering critical insights into the evolving global solar landscape. The Ease of Doing Solar 2025 report highlights that global energy transition investments reached USD 2083 Billion in 2024, with ISA Member Countries contributing USD 861.2 Billion, while solar power alone attracted USD 521 Billion, reinforcing its position as the leading pillar of clean energy growth.
The Solar PV Skills and Jobs in Africa study forecasts a surge in the continent’s solar workforce—from 226,000 today to 2.5–4.2 million by 2050—driven primarily by technicians and small-scale systems, and underscores the need for robust certification and digital learning systems. Global Solar Trends & Outlook 2025 provides decision-makers and investors with an in-depth analysis of solar energy’s rapid rise as the dominant clean energy source worldwide.
The Solar Compass issue on Integrated Photovoltaics calls attention to the unique opportunity for the Global South, where nearly 70 percent of future building stock is yet to be developed, enabling Building-Integrated PV solutions to be embedded into infrastructure from the outset—supported by ISA efforts to reduce costs and introduce solar-ready housing policies. Meanwhile, the Global Floating Solar Framework projects significant capacity growth over the next decade—led by the Asia-Pacific region—driven by declining generation costs of USD 0.05–0.07 per kWh and clear strategies to support deployment tailored to each nation’s environment and market conditions.
The Assembly will conclude with a site visit to BSES Rajdhani Power’s Kilokri Battery Energy Storage System, India’s largest standalone urban BESS, and the digital twin of Network Project in Janakpuri, a landmark initiative introducing India’s first large-scale, real-time digital twin for power distribution.
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