New Delhi, June 26, 2024 — The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is set to host its first-ever International Solar Festival on September 5-6, 2024, in New Delhi. The event aims to bring together businesses, academia, youth, community leaders, and other stakeholders to share knowledge, foster innovation, and build international cooperation towards a solar-powered future.
Dr. Ajay Mathur, Director General of ISA, announced the event at a distinguished gathering attended by Shri Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE); Ms. Saina Nehwal, Former World Number 1 Badminton Player, Olympian, and Padma Bhushan Awardee; and Ms. Arushi Sana, Official Youth Ambassador for COP28 UAE. Representatives from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and the diplomatic missions of several ISA member countries, including Argentina, Israel, and Denmark, among others, were also present.
Vision and Goals
The International Solar Festival 2024 will serve as a platform to accelerate the global transition to solar energy, creating conducive conditions for impactful global partnerships. It aims to enhance the solar-led energy transition by engaging diverse stakeholders to drive significant investments and innovations.
Keynote Addresses
Shri Bhupinder Singh Bhalla highlighted India’s role as a global climate leader and the importance of the ISA in solarizing underserved communities worldwide. He emphasized the festival’s role in accelerating the transition to clean energy, ensuring an inclusive path to a sustainable future for all nations.
Dr. Ajay Mathur underscored the transformative power of solar energy in creating new jobs, stimulating local economies, fostering innovation, and reducing emissions. He emphasized the festival’s focus on universal energy access and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through partnerships involving businesses, academia, youth, women, and communities.
Event Highlights
The festival will feature:
- Participation of ISA member countries and their leaders.
- Keynote sessions with global climate leaders.
- Plenary and technical sessions led by industry and global leaders.
- A CEO Caucus Roundtable to explore innovative financial and technological solutions for accelerating solar adoption.
- An Innovation Showcase featuring pioneering solutions and entrepreneurs transforming the energy sector.
- Exhibition booths and pavilions hosting organizations from the solar and allied sectors.
- Interaction and engagement with community groups, youth organizations, and policymakers.
- A cultural Activity Zone with performances by renowned artists.
Community and Youth Engagement
Ms. Saina Nehwal spoke on the importance of gender inclusivity and community building in the solar energy transition, emphasizing the need to engage and empower women. Ms. Arushi Sana highlighted the festival’s vision of collaboration and partnership between youth-led initiatives, academia, industry, community, and policy to co-create a sustainable future.
About the International Solar Alliance
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is a global intergovernmental organization dedicated to advancing solar power adoption for a carbon-neutral future. ISA’s mission is to unlock investments in solar energy while reducing technology and financing costs. It serves as a platform for international cooperation, assisting member countries in solar deployment through policy enactment, standardization, and investment mobilization. ISA promotes affordable solar solutions and provides training, data, and insights for solar engineers and energy policymakers.
By hosting the International Solar Festival, ISA aims to strengthen support for innovative financing, technology deployment, capacity building, and technical assistance, fostering a sustainable, solar-powered future globally.
