Colombo, Sri Lanka – July 15, 2025: The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is set to convene the 7th Regional Committee Meeting (RCM) for the Asia and Pacific region in Colombo, Sri Lanka, beginning July 15 – 17, 2025. This highly anticipated event will bring together high level representatives from member countries, regional organizations, private sector leaders, and technical institutions to deliberate on scaling up solar energy deployment across the region.
The International Solar Alliance has emerged as a global platform to foster cooperation among solar resource rich countries. The 7th RCM marks another significant milestone in the ISA’s commitment to achieving universal energy access, ensuring energy security, and driving the global energy transition through solar power.
What to Expect from the 7th Regional Committee Meeting
This two day event aims to foster collaboration and accelerate solar energy adoption in the Asia-Pacific, a region that houses over 60% of the global population and is one of the fastest growing energy markets in the world.
Delegations from more than 30 countries are expected to participate, alongside observers from multilateral development banks, international financial institutions, and regional energy stakeholders. The International Solar Alliance will present progress reports, regional project updates, and proposals to streamline financing, innovation, and capacity building mechanisms across the Asia-Pacific.
Among the agenda highlights:
- Reviewing solar deployment initiatives and project pipelines
- Discussing region-specific solar solutions
- Enhancing access to climate finance and technology
- Strengthening partnerships among member countries
- Scaling up capacity building and training programs
The meeting will also include a special session on leveraging public private partnerships (PPPs) to expand solar infrastructure and improve grid integration across island nations and developing economies in the region.
Importance of the Asia-Pacific in ISA’s Solar Roadmap
The Asia and Pacific region remains a critical pillar in the roadmap of the International Solar Alliance. Despite being rich in solar irradiation, many countries in the region face energy poverty, inadequate financing options, and limited access to renewable technologies.
With rapidly growing energy demands and pressing climate change challenges, the ISA sees the region as both a significant contributor to global energy consumption and a potential leader in solar transition. Countries like India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and the Pacific Island nations have all expressed strong interest in ISA programs, including:
- Solar park development
- Distributed solar rooftop schemes
- Solar water pumps for agriculture
- Battery storage solutions
- Off-grid rural electrification
The International Solar Alliance plays a central coordinating role in mobilizing technical and financial resources, offering policy guidance, and facilitating knowledge exchange among member countries.
Key Partners and Collaborators
The Colombo RCM is being co-hosted by the Government of Sri Lanka in collaboration with the ISA Secretariat. The meeting will feature participation from:
- Asian Development Bank (ADB)
- United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)
- The World BankUNDP
- Private solar companies and energy startups
- Regional research institutions and think tanks
This multi-stakeholder approach reflects the ISA’s holistic vision for inclusive and sustainable solar expansion. The International Solar Alliance aims to integrate governmental commitment, private sector innovation, and scientific expertise into a coherent solar action strategy.
Statements from Leadership
Dr. Ajay Mathur, Director General of the International Solar Alliance, stated ahead of the event:
“The Colombo RCM is an opportunity for Asia-Pacific nations to align their solar ambitions, address common challenges, and pool efforts toward achieving a sustainable solar-powered future. Our vision is to ensure solar becomes the preferred source of energy in this region.”
He emphasized the ISA’s support for developing tailored solutions for small island developing states (SIDS) and landlocked nations that face unique barriers to solar adoption.
Sri Lanka’s Minister of Power and Energy, Kanchana Wijesekera, added:
“Sri Lanka is proud to host this significant regional dialogue. Solar energy is vital for our national energy strategy, and we welcome the ISA’s leadership in bringing countries together to accelerate clean energy access and affordability.”
Recent ISA Achievements in Asia-Pacific
In recent years, the International Solar Alliance has scaled up its efforts across the Asia-Pacific region. Key accomplishments include:
- Launch of the STAR-C (Solar Technology Application Resource Centre) in multiple Asian nations to provide training and certification
- Facilitating solar mini-grid deployments in remote areas of Pacific Island countries
- Promoting solar cold storage and solar-powered irrigation systems in agricultural zones
- Implementation of solar rooftop programs for schools and health centers
- Supporting grid integration studies and regional solar roadmaps
Through its collaborative frameworks, the ISA aims to mobilize over $1 trillion in solar investments globally by 2030, with a significant portion targeted at Asia-Pacific member countries.
Challenges Ahead and Way Forward
Despite progress, numerous challenges remain. These include:
- High upfront costs and lack of concessional financing
- Weak regulatory frameworks
- Inadequate transmission infrastructure
- Lack of trained personnel in solar technology
The International Solar Alliance seeks to address these challenges through:
- Regional solar capacity building hubs
- Standardized tendering and procurement guidelines
- Aggregated solar demand and blended finance instruments
- Knowledge sharing platforms and digital solar marketplaces
Role of ISA Beyond the Meeting
While the 7th RCM is a key milestone, it is part of the ISA’s broader mission to catalyze solar energy transformation globally. With 119 member countries, the International Solar Alliance is spearheading projects across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Asia-Pacific.
The alliance continues to push for policy reforms, technology transfer, and innovative financing to ensure that solar energy is not only available but also affordable and accessible to all.
About the International Solar Alliance
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is a treaty based intergovernmental organization that works to promote solar energy and reduce reliance on fossil fuels across the globe. It plays a key role in facilitating energy transitions, particularly in solar resource rich developing countries.
Founders and Origins
The ISA was jointly launched by India and France on 30 November 2015, during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) held in Paris. The initiative was championed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then French President François Hollande as a collective platform for cooperation among solar rich nations.
Its founding vision is to bring together countries located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn often blessed with abundant sunshine but lacking in solar infrastructure and investment.
Headquarters
The ISA headquarters is located in Gurugram, Haryana, India, within the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) campus. The location symbolizes India’s leading role in promoting sustainable energy solutions and hosting international climate partnerships.
Membership
As of July 2025, the International Solar Alliance has 119 signatory countries, making it one of the largest international groupings focused exclusively on solar energy.
- Over 90 countries have ratified the ISA Framework Agreement and are full members.
- Membership is open to all UN member states, including countries outside the tropics.
- The ISA unites a diverse group of nations developing and developed toward one mission: scaling up solar solutions globally.
Prominent Member Countries Include:
- India
- France
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Australia
- Japan
- Brazil
- Nigeria
- Kenya
- Bangladesh
- Sri Lanka
- Fiji and other Pacific Island nations
Through its expanding membership, the International Solar Alliance aims to mobilize over $1 trillion in solar investments and deliver clean, affordable, and reliable energy to underserved regions by 2030.
Conclusion
As the 7th Regional Committee Meeting of the International Solar Alliance commences in Colombo, the spotlight returns to the Asia-Pacific a region ripe for solar innovation and collaboration. Through renewed partnerships, practical roadmaps, and a commitment to sustainability, the ISA is laying the foundation for a future powered by the sun.
With strong participation from governments, development institutions, and the private sector, the Colombo meeting promises to accelerate solar momentum across the region and inspire new milestones in the global clean energy transition.
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