The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is all set to host the Seventh Regional Committee Meeting (RCM) for the Asia and the Pacific Region. Scheduled from 15 to 17 July 2025 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, this key event will act as a turning point for the region’s solar future.
Why This Meeting Matters
The Asia-Pacific region holds immense potential in the global clean energy shift. From emerging economies to island nations, solar power can unlock economic growth, clean energy access, and climate resilience.
ISA Director General Ashish Khanna highlighted the region’s critical role, saying, “The Asia and the Pacific Region is at the heart of the global energy transition.”
He stressed the need for “investment-ready solutions” like regional solar energy platforms, digital innovation, and green hydrogen development to fast-track progress.
Core Pillars of ISA’s Regional Strategy
At the heart of this meeting are ISA’s four strategic pillars, each designed to bring impact:
- Catalytic Finance Hub: De-risking solar investments with blended finance models, expanding ISA’s successful African model to APAC.
- Global Capability Centre and Digitisation: Creating a “Silicon Valley for Solar” through innovation hubs, digital platforms, and startup support via the SolarX Startup Challenge.
- Regional and Country-Level Platforms: Enabling Small Island Developing States (SIDS) with e-tendering platforms and shared procurement systems.
- Technology Roadmaps and Policy Innovation: Promoting solar-integrated tech like green hydrogen and energy storage, aligned with ISA–ADB’s Ecosystem Readiness initiative.
Showcasing Innovations from ACEF 2025
At the Asia Clean Energy Forum (ACEF) 2025 held in Manila, ISA unveiled key reports that will guide the RCM agenda. These included:
- Green Hydrogen Hub Framework
- Country-specific readiness assessments
- Strategic roadmaps for Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES)
These documents aim to help Member Countries plan smarter and deploy solar technologies faster.
Thematic Focus Areas
The Colombo RCM will feature targeted sessions to drive regional action:
1. Operationalising the SIDS Solar Platform
A transparent e-marketplace tailored for island nations will be discussed, including ownership models and regional case studies.
2. Building Institutional Capacity
STAR Centres in Bhutan, Papua New Guinea, and Kiribati will be spotlighted. These success stories show how local capacity-building transforms energy access.
3. Accelerating Green Hydrogen and Storage
ISA will guide Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in developing project pipelines for hydrogen, battery storage, and e-mobility.
4. Advancing Cross-Border Solar Trade
The RCM will explore frameworks for regional interconnections, financing models, and grid-sharing to lower solar costs.
Signing of Strategic Agreements
During the RCM, ISA will ink Country Partnership Frameworks and new partnership agreements with key regional and global institutions. These agreements will expand collaboration and strengthen ISA’s operational reach.
Additionally, discussions will begin for establishing new STAR Centres, focused on skill development, institutional capacity, and long-term sustainability.
About the ISA Regional Committees
Each ISA Regional Committee is chaired by a Vice-President from the region. The Asia-Pacific committee, led by Sri Lanka, includes 28 Member Countries, 30 Signatory Countries, and 24 Prospective Countries—a total of 54 active participants.
These annual meetings are a platform to assess ISA’s programmatic progress, share innovations, and ensure cross-country coordination.
What the Future Holds
The Colombo RCM will act as a catalyst for regional progress. It’s not just about talk—it’s about partnerships that deliver.
With ISA’s leadership and growing regional support, Asia and the Pacific are positioned to lead the global solar transition—cleaner, faster, and smarter.
About the International Solar Alliance
ISA was launched at COP21 in 2015 by India and France. It is the first intergovernmental body headquartered in India, with 123 countries currently signed on.
Its goal is to unlock solar investments by 2030, reduce costs, and make solar energy accessible to all. ISA works across sectors—agriculture, health, transport, and electricity—to integrate solar energy into everyday life.
ISA’s model includes:
- Ease of Doing Solar advisory
- Aggregating demand across countries
- Risk mitigation tools for solar finance
- Training for engineers and policymakers
With strong partnerships and a people-first approach, ISA is leading the charge towards a solar-powered, sustainable future.
