As many as 19 Heads of State and several top leaders of 43 countries will deliberate on clean energy options during the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Summit to be held on Sunday. In addition, heads of six Multilateral Development Banks, including the BRICS Bank, will be attending the Summit along with a representative of the United Nations Secretary General.
Some of the prominent world leaders who will be attending the Summit including French President Emmanuel Macron, Sri lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, Bangladesh President Mohammad Abdul Hamid and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro Moros. Several bilateral meetings are also lined up with the world leaders on the sidelines of the ISA.
During the ISA Summit the delegates will attend three technical sessions on -- solar priorities, low cost priorities, and power for all. Sources said the session on solar priorities will focus on how the ISA can assist countries in enhancing their policy and regulatory frameworks. It will explore incentives that are necessary to spur innovation and research and development and how ISA can support capacity building programs.
Discussion on low cost finance will look at the reasons on why clean energy investments remain risky, despite encouraging trends. Deliberations will focus on how these risks could be hedged, such that the quantum of investment increases, the sources of investment are diversified, and the cost of capital declines.
The technical session on power for all will explore ways to scale up off-grid solar energy and enhancing energy access in small island states. This session will also share best practices. There will also be a deep discussion on how policy, technology, and finance can align with a partnership approach to achieving a comprehensive systems change.