The International Solar Alliance (ISA) Regional Committee for Asia and the Pacific convenes today in Colombo for its seventh meeting, with Sri Lanka taking center stage in pushing the regional solar agenda forward. The event underscores ISA’s growing role as a catalyst for clean energy partnerships and highlights Sri Lanka’s leadership in advancing equitable solar solutions.
The high-level meeting is inaugurated by Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya, who calls for deeper cooperation, inclusive technology access, and targeted support for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and lower-middle-income countries. In her keynote address, Dr Amarasuriya endorses ISA’s expansion of the Global Solar Facility and announces Sri Lanka’s initiative to host a STAR Centre in Colombo—a regional hub for solar training and research.
“These countries face high costs, limited land, and grid constraints—but also immense potential in decentralised solar and storage-based solutions,” the Prime Minister says. “Sri Lanka supports ISA’s four strategic pillars and is working to establish a STAR Centre in Colombo.”
A key highlight of today’s proceedings is the signing of the Country Partnership Framework (CPF) between the Government of Sri Lanka and ISA. The agreement is exchanged by Hon. Eng. Kumara Jayakody, Minister of Energy, and Mr Ashish Khanna, Director General of ISA, in the presence of the Prime Minister. The CPF establishes a structured roadmap to accelerate solar deployment, financing, and capacity building in Sri Lanka.
Minister Jayakody reaffirms Sri Lanka’s goal to generate 70% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
“The ISA SIDS Platform will enable economies of scale and shared innovation for small island nations,” he states. “The partnerships formalised today reflect ISA’s tangible implementation focus.”
India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, H.E. Mr Santosh Jha, reiterates India’s strong backing for ISA and regional energy collaboration.
“India’s energy transition and ISA leadership are testaments to what shared ambition can achieve. We’re proud to strengthen our energy ties with Sri Lanka and the region,” he says.
ISA Director General Mr Ashish Khanna underscores the strategic importance of the Asia-Pacific in the global energy transition. He highlights ISA’s four-pillar strategy focused on finance mobilisation, institutional capacity, innovation, and regional cooperation.
“This meeting provides a timely and strategic platform to turn shared ambition into practical, solar-powered impact across the region,” Khanna notes.
Key Outcomes and Announcements:
- Signing of the Country Partnership Framework between ISA and Sri Lanka.
- CPF exchanges with Fiji, Kiribati, and the Solomon Islands.
- MoU signed with ICIMOD to advance solar cooperation in mountainous regions.
- Pledge of Support for the ISA SIDS Platform adopted by SIDS leaders.
- Regional sessions on digital energy solutions, cross-border renewables trade, and startup innovation through the SolarX APAC pitch competition.
The meeting continues later today with sessions on operationalising the SIDS Platform, deploying scalable solar technologies, and strengthening implementation frameworks.
Colombo sends a clear message: the Asia-Pacific region is united in its solar ambition—and ISA stands firmly at the helm, connecting nations, catalysing capital, and translating vision into action.
