UNGA grants Observer Status to International Solar Alliance

On December 9, 2021, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has granted Observer Status to International Solar Alliance (ISA).

Key Points

It is a historic decision and ISA has become an example of positive global climate action through partnerships in order to benefit global energy growth & development.

Fourth General Assembly of ISA

The fourth general assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) was held in October 2021. In the event, a total of 108 countries participated, including 74 member countries and 34 observer & prospective countries participated. Apart from that, 23 partner organisations and 33 special invitee organisations also participated.

About International Solar Alliance (ISA)

• ISA is an alliance of 124 countries. This initiative was started by India. Most of these countries are sunshine countries.
• These countries are located either completely or partly between Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn.
• ISA was established with the objective of working for efficient consumption of solar energy in a bid to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
• ISA was first proposed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015, in a speech at Wembley Stadium. During the speech, he referred to sunshine countries as Suryaputra that is “Sons of the Sun”.
• It is a treaty-based inter-governmental organization.
• After the United Nations, ISA is the largest grouping of states world-wide.

Members of the ISA

Most of the members of ISA are countries located around tropics. However, countries that do not fall within the Tropics can also join the alliance and avail all benefits as other members. Though, they would not get voting rights.

United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)

UNGA is one among the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN). It serves as the main policymaking, deliberative, and representative organ of the UN. The powers, functions, composition, and procedures of UNGA are set out in Chapter IV of the United Nations Charter. It is responsible for the UN budget. UNGA is the only organisation of UN where all member states have equal representation.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2021