USA, Now a Member Country of International Solar Alliance

The United States has become the 101st country to join the India-led International Solar Alliance (ISA), with US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, on Wednesday, signing the ISA framework agreement aimed at expediting the transition to clean energy through solar power initiatives.

The ISA was conceived of by PM Modi and former French President Francois Hollande in November 2015 at the 21st session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP-21 in Paris.

Welcoming the addition of the US to the ISA, Union Minister for Environment Bhupender Yadav tweeted, “Happy that now USA is formally a part of International Solar Alliance, a visionary initiative launched by PM Shri @narendramodi Ji in 2015 at Paris COP. The number of countries who are now part of @isolaralliance is no 101.”

“This move will strengthen the ISA and propel future action on providing a clean source of energy to the world,” he said.

“It has long been coming, and we are happy to join the International Solar Alliance, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the lead in making. We worked out the details and this is a process we are pleased to be a part of the process we are pleased to be a part of,” said Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry.

“The US endorsement of ISA’s framework and approach is an heartening development, especially as our 101st member nation, which is a significant milestone in itself, demonstrating that nations across the world are recognising the economic and climate mitigating value of solar, as well as this energy source’s potential as a catalyst for global energy transition,” said Dr. Ajay Mathur, Director General of the ISA.

“We hope remaining nations and economies will follow suit, and align with us to achieve swift, affordable and effective climate action, while also achieving their respective economic growth and long-term development priorities,” he added.