Spain Joins International Solar Alliance as 99th Member

Spain has become the 99th member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) . This information was given by the Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Randhir Jaiswal on 22 May 2024. Spain has ratified the International Solar Alliance Instrument of Ratification and has deposited it with the ISA Head of Depository. India is the host country of the International Solar Alliance and the Joint Secretary in the External Affairs Ministry Abhishek Singh is the Head of Depository at the moment .

About International Solar Alliance 

India and France conceived the idea of the International Solar Alliance  as part of the effort to mobilize the countries to use solar energy to counter global warming and climate change. The Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and the French president Francoise Hollande agreed to set up the International Solar Alliance during the sidelines of the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Paris in 2015. 

Who can become a member of the ISA?

Initially countries which lie  between the Tropic of Cancer to Tropic of Capricorn were eligible to be the member of the International Solar Alliance .

At the first founding conference of the International Solar Alliance (ISA co hosted by prime minister Narednra Modi  and the French president Emmanuel Macron at New Delhi on 11 March 2018 the Framework Agreement of the ISA was amended.

The amended framework allowed  all members of the United Nations to become members of the ISA.

From 15 July 2020 the membership of the International Solar Alliance was open to all members of the United Nations.

Aim of ISA 

The ISA aims to bring together the countries of the world to promote the extensive use of solar energy as a counter to fossil fuels. Solar energy is considered to be more environment friendly than fossil fuels like coal, petroleum oils etc.

The ISA aims to seek commitments from international organisations, private sector to provide affordable finance for deployment of solar mini grids, rooftop installations and  solar e-mobility technologies in the urban and rural areas.

Members of the ISA 

119 countries have till date signed the ISA Framework Agreement. 99 countries have ratified and submitted the necessary International Solar Alliance Instrument of Ratification  to become a full member.

Headquarters of ISA: Gurugram , Haryana 

About  Kingdom of Spain 

Spain is located in the Iberian peninsula of southwest Europe.

Spain is a constitutional monarchy  and is ruled by an elected government.

It is a member of the European Union and part of the EuroZone. Euro Zone refers to the countries of the European Union who have abolished their currency and adopted a common currency euro. 

Capital : Madrid 

Prime  Minister :Pedro Sanchez 

Currency: Euro