In a significant move towards a sustainable energy future, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today addressed the inaugural session of the International Solar Festival 2024, New Delhi.
Hosted virtually by the International Solar Alliance (ISA), the festival marks a pivotal moment in the global quest for clean energy. The ISA, an inter-governmental organization consisting of 119 member and signatory countries, aims to enhance energy access and security while championing solar power as a pathway to a carbon-neutral world.
The Vision for a Green Energy Transition
Prime Minister Modi, addressing a distinguished audience that included international Heads of State, diplomats, business leaders, and experts, emphasized the need for a collective global effort to address the imbalance in green energy investments.
“The world must collectively address the imbalance in concentration of green energy investments in order to ensure an energy transition. Solar manufacturing and technology must be democratized to help developing countries,” Modi stated.
He stressed that empowering the least developed countries and small island developing states should be a priority. He further highlighted the importance of including marginalized communities, women, and youth in this transition. Modi, reflecting on India’s role as a founding member of the ISA, expressed commitment to fostering a green and inclusive future.
“The International Solar Alliance began as a small sapling, and today it stands as a giant tree, inspiring global policy and action,” he said, underscoring the ISA’s role in guiding the world towards a solar-powered future.
Commitment from Global Leaders
Shri Pralhad Joshi, Hon’ble Minister of New and Renewable Energy and President of the ISA Assembly, echoed Modi’s sentiments. “India, as a founding member of the ISA, is committed to supporting the global community, particularly the Global South, in advancing an inclusive and sustainable future,” Joshi said during the inauguration. He emphasized India’s innovative spirit and its role in advancing clean energy initiatives.
According to Joshi, the International Solar Festival represents a platform for collective action towards an equitable energy transition, involving governments, youth, communities, and the private sector. This initiative, he noted, is crucial for accelerating the global transition to clean energy through shared knowledge and cooperative efforts.
Dr. Ajay Mathur, Director General of the ISA, also highlighted the festival’s significance. “The International Solar Festival 2024 celebrates the world’s collective journey to a solar-powered future. Solar, growing at 20% annually, is empowering communities, uplifting economies, and driving global transformation,” Mathur remarked. He pointed out that while solar investment remains concentrated in a few countries, there is a strong commitment to building momentum for universal clean energy access, positioning solar as a cornerstone for global prosperity and environmental sustainability.
Global Support for Solar Energy
Leaders from various nations voiced their support for the festival’s objectives. H.E. Tshering Tobgay, Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bhutan, described the event as a pivotal milestone in the journey toward a sustainable and low-carbon future.
Tobgay emphasized the festival’s role in uniting young people, businesses, policymakers, and communities to advance solar energy solutions. He acknowledged Bhutan’s progress in solar energy infrastructure, supported by the ISA, including regulatory frameworks and large-scale solar projects.
H.E. Pravind Jugnauth, Hon’ble Prime Minister of Mauritius, praised the festival as a testament to collaborative efforts. Jugnauth highlighted the ISA’s role in aiding Mauritius, a Small Island Developing State, in solarizing primary healthcare centers and meeting 30% of its energy needs by 2030. He congratulated India for its leadership in driving the solar-led energy transition.
The inauguration also featured addresses from other notable figures, including H.E. Ms. Capaya Rodriguez Gonzalez, Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to India; H.E. Philip Green, High Commissioner of Australia; H.E. Arunkoemar Hardien, Ambassador of Suriname; and H.E. Damien Syed, Deputy Head of Mission at the French Embassy in New Delhi. Their presence underscored the ISA’s broad international reach and its role in fostering global partnerships.
Core Themes and Future Outlook
The International Solar Festival focused on four core themes: the role of youth, communities, women, and the private sector. The festival provided a platform for stakeholders from around the globe to exchange knowledge, foster innovation, and build international cooperation.
By emphasizing innovative financing, technology deployment, capacity building, and technical assistance, the festival aims to create an environment conducive to impactful global partnerships and accelerate the energy transition.
In summary, the International Solar Festival 2024 represents a critical juncture in the global movement towards a sustainable and equitable energy future. Through collective action, innovative solutions, and inclusive policies, the festival seeks to drive the world towards a brighter, solar-powered future.
