Seventh Regional Committee Meeting to unite governments, institutions, and industry leaders to accelerate solar energy deployment, green hydrogen, and cross-border collaboration across the Asia-Pacific region.
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is set to convene the Seventh Regional Committee Meeting (RCM) for the Asia and Pacific Region from July 15 to 17, 2025, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Under the theme “Advancing Solar Cooperation Across a Region of Diversity and Opportunity,” the event will bring together government leaders, academic experts, institutional partners, and private sector innovators to accelerate solar energy deployment across the dynamic Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.
The high-level meeting will focus on fostering regional partnerships, facilitating knowledge exchange, and developing actionable strategies to strengthen the region’s leadership in the global solar transition.
Mr. Ashish Khanna, Director General of ISA, highlighted the region’s crucial role in the global energy transition, stating, “The RCM in Colombo offers a platform to craft scalable, investment-ready solutions grounded in local leadership and regional cooperation.”
Key Focus Areas of the RCM:
The meeting will align regional solar priorities with ISA’s four strategic pillars:
- Catalytic Finance Hub: Expanding blended finance and de-risking mechanisms for solar investments, modeled on ISA’s successes in Africa, with plans to replicate across APAC.
- Global Capability Centre & Digitisation: Advancing the vision of a ‘Silicon Valley for Solar’ through STAR Centres, innovation accelerators like the SolarX Startup Challenge, and targeted technical support.
- Regional and Country-Level Platforms: Enhancing regional demand aggregation through e-tendering and procurement tools, especially tailored for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
- Technology Roadmaps & Policy Innovation: Supporting member countries with the adoption of cutting-edge solar technologies, green hydrogen pathways, and energy storage systems, building on ISA’s partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Thematic Sessions and Strategic Discussions:
- Operationalising the SIDS Solar Platform: Establishing a transparent regional e-marketplace with regional ownership models and case studies.
- Capacity Building via STAR Centres: Showcasing operational models in Bhutan, Papua New Guinea, and Kiribati, alongside digital learning solutions to close skill gaps.
- Green Hydrogen, Storage & E-Mobility Acceleration: Developing policies and project pipelines for emerging technologies, targeting LDCs and SIDS.
- Advancing Cross-Border Solar Trade: Crafting frameworks for regional interconnections, innovative financing models, and enhanced solar access.
Strengthening Partnerships and Institutional Capacity:
The RCM, chaired by the Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, will witness the signing of Country Partnership Frameworks and regional cooperation agreements aimed at expanding ISA’s footprint and deepening institutional collaboration. Plans to establish new STAR Centres in the region will also be discussed to enhance long-term technical capabilities and solar energy resilience.
This landmark meeting is expected to play a pivotal role in aligning the APAC region with ISA’s broader strategic vision under the Framework Agreement and the global climate action agenda. By focusing on scalable solutions, resilient partnerships, and inclusive innovation, the ISA RCM 2025 promises to set the course for a brighter, solar-powered future across Asia and the Pacific.