Colombo: The International Solar Alliance (ISA) and Sri Lanka signed a strategic Country Partnership Framework (CPF) on July 16, marking a major step in ISA’s effort to drive regional solar cooperation and scale up clean energy access across Asia and the Pacific, said a statement on Thursday. Kicking off the Seventh ISA Regional Committee Meeting, leaders pledged support for a new SIDS Platform to help island nations overcome financing and infrastructure barriers, and announced frameworks with other countries, including Fiji, Kiribati, and the Solomon Islands.
Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya called for deeper collaboration to ensure energy equity for vulnerable economies, while reaffirming the country’s goal of achieving 70 percent renewable electricity by 2030.
“These countries face high costs, limited land, and grid constraints — but also immense potential in decentralised solar and storage-based solutions,” she said, urging a focused approach for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and lower-middle-income countries. “Sri Lanka supports ISA’s four strategic pillars and is working to establish a STAR Centre in Colombo as a regional hub for solar training and research.”
The CPF agreement was exchanged by Sri Lanka’s Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody and ISA Director General Ashish Khanna in the presence of the Prime Minister. The framework outlines a roadmap to boost solar deployment, finance mobilisation, and institutional capacity in Sri Lanka.
Minister Jayakody underscored the value of international cooperation, noting, “Our national goal is to achieve 70 percent renewable energy in electricity generation by 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2050. Solar energy is central to this vision.” He also welcomed Sri Lanka’s formal support to the ISA SIDS Platform, “The platform will help island nations benefit from economies of scale, competitive bidding, and shared expertise. ISA’s shift from ambition to action is clearly reflected in the frameworks signed today.”
📌 Key outcomes from Day 1
Signing of CPF between ISA and Sri Lanka
New CPF agreements with Fiji, Kiribati, and the Solomon Islands
MoU with ICIMOD to expand solar deployment in mountainous regions
Launch of the ISA SIDS Platform, in partnership with the World Bank
Regional sessions on digital energy solutions, cross-border renewables trade, and startup innovation through the SolarX APAC pitch competition
India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, reaffirmed India’s commitment to ISA’s collaborative model. “India’s energy transition—marked by achieving 50 percent installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources ahead of schedule — shows what collective ambition can deliver,” he said. “ISA, born from the vision of India and France, has become a powerful platform to bring solar solutions to SIDS and developing economies.”
⚙️ ISA outlines four-pillar regional strategy
ISA Director General Ashish Khanna emphasised the Asia-Pacific region’s role in shaping global solar action and outlined ISA’s four-pillar approach:
Mobilising catalytic finance
Strengthening institutional capacity
Fostering regional coordination
Enabling innovation and technology deployment
“We are committed to working in close partnership with each Member State to design tailored, impactful interventions aligned with national priorities,” he said.
The Colombo meeting continues on 17 July, with a focus on operationalising the SIDS Platform, scaling digital and decentralised solar technologies, and strengthening institutional frameworks for implementation.