The International Solar Alliance’s Brussels meeting has set a clear action agenda to speed up solar energy deployment, improve battery recycling, mobilise clean energy finance and strengthen global cooperation for energy security.
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (India CSR): The Seventh Meeting of the ISA Regional Committee for Europe and the Others Region was convened in Brussels from 10 to 12 June 2026, under the chairmanship of Filippo Parzola, Deputy Head of Unit for Multilateral Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy. The meeting brought together representatives of Member, Signatory, & Prospective Countries, partner governments, development finance institutions, industry leaders, and energy experts to advance cooperation to accelerate solar deployment and support a secure, resilient, and inclusive global energy transition, while strengthening ISA’s mission and regional engagement.
Held at a pivotal moment for the global energy transition, the meeting focused on strengthening electrification initiatives across countries, cooperation on energy security, climate action, resilient supply chains and large-scale solar deployment. Participants highlighted the Europe and Others Region’s strengths in finance, technology, and innovation, as well as its role in supporting solar deployment across developing economies.
Throughout the Regional Committee Meeting, delegates exchanged perspectives on emerging trends shaping the global energy transition, including energy security, electrification, large-scale solar deployment, storage technologies, digital energy systems, artificial intelligence, and resilient clean energy supply chains. Discussions also emphasised the importance of mobilising affordable finance and strengthening institutional capacity to support the energy transition in developing countries.
The Regional Committee also reviewed cooperation under ISA’s strategic pillars, including the Catalytic Finance Hub, Global Capability Centre, and digitisation, alongside regional engagement and technology roadmaps, with Member Countries reaffirming their support for stronger collaboration in solar finance, grids, digitalisation, and capacity building.
Commenting on the outcomes of the meeting and talking about the role of solar energy in today’s world, Ashish Khanna, Director General, International Solar Alliance, said: “While many technologies may be part of a least-cost generation plan, nothing can be done faster than either a rooftop or a distributed renewable energy system through solar. So, the fastest possible way for increased electrification needs in the short and the medium term is all through solar.” He further added, “There is a huge disruption that’s going to happen in the world of energy through AI. The world of energy will get disrupted or ‘Amazoned’ into retail because millions of consumers will have a rooftop and a battery and will be selling electricity to each other. The game-changer in AI for energy is how the distribution system will be designed, for which we would deepen partnership with the European Union to build capability across countries.
Filippo Parzola, Deputy Head of Unit for Multilateral Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy and Chair of the Seventh Regional Committee for Europe and Others Region, said: “Across the world, the future of energy is becoming increasingly electric from transport and buildings to industry, agriculture, cooling and green hydrogen. But electrification will deliver its full promise only if it is powered by clean, reliable, affordable and secure grids. Solar, when combined with storage, modern grids, digital tools and cross-border cooperation, can help countries reduce exposure to imported fossil fuels and regain control over their energy security. This meeting is a platform to shape priorities, build partnerships and convert ambition into action.”
Reflecting on the significance of the discussions, H.E. Pranay Verma, Ambassador of India to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union, said, “India’s emergence as a global leader in energy transition and solar energy is not merely a story of domestic ambition. As our Prime Minister has said, ‘The world is one family,’ and India’s clean energy journey is not just for India, but for the world. Through initiatives such as One Sun, One World, One Grid, and our partnership with the European Union, we are working to accelerate renewable energy deployment and advance international cooperation.”
A key highlight of the meeting was the launch of the first knowledge product under ISA’s SUNRISE platform, Battery Recycling Guidelines for ISA Member Countries: Advancing Circular Battery Value Chains. Developed in consultation with over 120 stakeholders from 24+ countries, the report draws on global best practices and on-the-ground insights to provide globally benchmarked guidance for strengthening circular and sustainable battery value chains. It is intended to support Member Countries in building safe, efficient and traceable end-of-life battery management systems.
In their remarks, Ambassador Verma and the Director General of ISA highlighted India’s commitment to global clean energy cooperation and extended an invitation to the Bharat Renewable Energy (BRE) Summit & Expo 2026, to be held from 2–5 November 2026 in New Delhi, India. Organised by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, the event will be convened alongside the 9th Session of the ISA Assembly and the 4th International Conference on Green Hydrogen, providing a platform to further strengthen global cooperation on renewable energy, investment, and innovation.
A dedicated CEO Caucus examined opportunities to diversify solar supply chains and strengthen cooperation among Member Countries to build more resilient and sustainable solar ecosystems. Participants also explored pathways to expand manufacturing capabilities, promote innovation, and reduce vulnerabilities across critical clean energy value chains.
The meeting featured a high-level dialogue on “Supercharging Global Electrification: Securing Energy Security and Sovereignty”, focusing on solar energy, storage, and modern grids to advance energy security and sustainable growth. Discussions on ISA–Africa–Europe cooperation highlighted trilateral partnerships, finance, technology transfer and capacity building to accelerate clean energy deployment across Africa, LDCs and SIDS.
The International Solar Alliance is a global intergovernmental organisation launched by India and France at COP21 in 2015. With 120+ Member and Signatory Countries, ISA works with governments to improve energy access and security through solar, across agriculture, health, transport, and power generation. ISA’s evolving vision is anchored on four strategic pillars: (1) Catalytic Finance Hub to unlock and mobilise investments at scale; (2) Global Capability Centre and Digitisation to foster innovation, digital platforms, and capacity building across Member Countries; (3) Regional and Country-level Engagement to drive 2 tailored interventions through strategic partnerships and (4) Technology Roadmaps and Policy Advisory to accelerate the deployment of emerging solar technologies through actionable policy frameworks and knowledge resources. With its advocacy for solar-powered solutions, ISA aims to transform lives, bring clean, reliable, and affordable energy to communities worldwide, fuel sustainable growth, and improve quality of life. On 6 December 2017, 15 countries signed and ratified the ISA Framework Agreement, making ISA the first international intergovernmental organisation to be headquartered in India.
