India and France have been elected President and Co-President of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) for the two-year term from 2024 to 2026. India ran unopposed for the presidency, while France emerged victorious in the contest with Grenada for the Co-Presidency.
Pralhad Joshi, President of the ISA and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, hailed India’s election to the presidency as a reflection of the country’s continued efforts to promote global solar energy adoption and drive investment in critical solar projects under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
The ISA Assembly also elected eight vice presidents for the standing committee, with two representatives from each of ISA’s four regional categories. Ghana and Seychelles were selected as Vice Presidents for the Africa region, Australia and Sri Lanka for Asia and the Pacific, Germany and Italy for Europe and Others, and Grenada and Suriname for Latin America and the Caribbean.
The election of the president and co-president follows a process aimed at ensuring equitable geographic representation, with ISA members divided into four regional groups: Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Others, and Latin America and the Caribbean.
Additionally, the assembly named Ashish Khanna from India as the third Director-General of the ISA, following a vote that also saw Wisdom Ahiataku-Togobo from Ghana and Gosaye Mengistie Abayneh from Ethiopia nominated for the role. The outgoing Director-General, Dr. Ajay Mathur, will complete his term on March 14, 2025. Under his leadership since 2021, the ISA has expanded to include 103 member countries and 17 signatories, advancing numerous projects and innovations aimed at accelerating solar energy deployment worldwide.
The 7th Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) was held in New Delhi from November 3 to 6. Ministers from 29 countries gathered to discuss key initiatives, focusing on energy access, energy security, and the global energy transition to address critical challenges facing the world today.