International Solar Alliance to unveil catalytic finance for Africa and a global capability center during the Sixth Regional Committee Meeting, aiming for a cleaner, more resilient energy future.
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is set to host its Sixth Regional Committee Meeting (RCM) for the Europe and Others Region in Brussels from June 10-12, 2025. This pivotal gathering will unite country representatives, leading technical universities, influential think tanks, institutional partners, and private sector leaders to forge a unified and strategic path for global solar energy expansion.
Under the theme ‘Elevating the Region’s Role in the Global Solar Transition’, the RCM aims to generate actionable strategies across critical areas: innovation, policy, finance, and capacity building.
Mr. Ashish Khanna, Director General of the ISA, highlighted the meeting’s significance: “The Sixth Regional Committee Meeting… will be a pivotal platform to advance collaborative action on solar energy. As part of an evolving vision, ISA is ready to launch a USD 200 million catalytic finance facility for Africa, seeking to combine 10 existing national centres of excellence… with a Global Capability Centre providing cutting-edge AI and digital solutions… This Meeting will reaffirm our commitment to building a cleaner, more resilient energy future through multilateral cooperation and public-private synergy.”
Strategic Partnerships for a Solar Future
The RCM is strongly supported by the regional leadership of Germany and Italy as Vice Presidents for the Region, alongside strategic assistance from the Embassy of India in Belgium, Luxembourg, and the European Union. This collaborative framework will foster dynamic cross-border and cross-sector cooperation.
Mr. Khanna expressed gratitude to key partners, stating, “The International Solar Alliance extends its sincere appreciation to all our esteemed partners whose support has been instrumental… We are particularly grateful to the Vice Presidents from the Region, Germany and France, the Embassy of India in Belgium, and the European Union. Your strategic collaboration strengthens our collective efforts to accelerate the global solar transition.”
Key Initiatives to Accelerate Solar Adoption:
The Sixth RCM will focus on several key ISA priorities designed to scale global solar adoption:
- Catalytic Finance Hub: Mobilizing blended finance and risk mitigation for private investment, starting with USD 74 million secured towards a USD 200 million fund for Africa, with plans for subsequent facilities in other regions.
- Global Capability Centre and Digitisation: Envisioning a “Silicon Valley for solar” in India, this initiative will connect existing national centers of excellence (STAR-C), promote innovation through the Solar X Startup Challenge, replicate the success of India’s Solar Energy Corporation, and provide vital technical assistance.
- Regional and Country-Level Engagement: Establishing selective platforms for aggregation and scaling, such as the SIDS platform, emphasizing e-tendering and e-procurement.
- Technology Roadmap and Policy: Guiding the uptake of solar in ISA Member Countries, particularly on supply chain diversification and emerging technologies.
Thematic Sessions: Shaping the Solar Landscape
The RCM will feature thematic sessions aligned with crucial goals:
- Co-designing the Solar Global Capability Centre (GCC): Engaging training institutions, technical universities, and think tanks to develop solar training modules, certification programs, and institutional frameworks to support the ISA’s flagship Solar GCC, complementing existing EU partnerships with STAR Centres.
- Policy Innovation and Roadmaps: Facilitating structured policy dialogues to empower Europe and the Others Region to lead in developing enabling policy ecosystems with developing countries, thereby reducing investment risks.
- Digital Public Infrastructure for Energy: Showcasing the digital transformation of the solar sector, including AI-driven energy management systems and procurement platforms, essential for cost reduction and efficient renewable integration.
- Mobilizing Private Sector Capital: The ISA’s CEO Caucus will serve as a high-level forum to strengthen public-private partnerships and shape co-investment strategies in emerging markets, recognizing that over 70% of global net-zero investments are expected from the private sector.
This Regional Committee Meeting is poised to be a landmark event, establishing a transformative agenda for the coming year and the ISA’s long-term trajectory, culminating in a forward-looking roadmap aligned with global climate goals.