India, France elected as President and co-President of International Solar Alliance for 2 years until 2026

India and France have been elected as President and co-President of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) for a two-year term, extending to 2026. In a recent reshuffle of ISA leadership, Ashish Khanna is set to succeed Dr. Ajay Mathur as ISA Director General, assuming the role in 2025. Thanking the Indian government and the ISA assembly for his nomination, Khanna stated that the world is ready for a major solar energy push, though challenges in climate finance require deeper discussion.
Speaking to CNBC TV18 on the sidelines of the ISA’s seventh assembly session in New Delhi, he expressed his commitment to fostering partnerships of equality among nations to drive energy access and transition. He also highlighted the reduction of fiscal impact as a significant opportunity for solar energy adoption, underscoring India’s solar success through public-private partnerships, which have expanded the country’s solar capacity to 90 GW, up from less than 2 GW in 2014.

Meanwhile, Fiji’s Minister for Public Works and Transport, Ro Filipe Tuisawau, told CNBC TV18 that the Pacific island nation aims to meet 100% of its power demand with renewable energy by 2030. With fossil fuel imports currently accounting for 30% of Fiji’s total import costs, the country is focused on further solarization, particularly in rural areas, schools, hospitals, and for water access.

The Fijian minister noted ongoing collaboration with other small island nations on climate finance, though he expressed concerns about the complex processes involved. Fiji is working with the ISA in key areas, including solar-powered and water pumps, to advance these goals.