UNGA grants Observer Status to International Solar Alliance

Highlights:

• Recently, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has granted Observer Status to International Solar Alliance (ISA).
• 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.
• 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.

• 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.
• 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.