International Solar Alliance a significant initiative: France

Le Bourget: Terming the India-mooted International Solar Alliance as a "significant initiative", France on Wednesday said it will enable developed and developing countries to work together to attract investments and technologies in the solar energy sector.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said the Conference of Parties (COP21) also means a whole set of concrete solutions and one of the significant initiatives, which has sprung up is the International Solar Alliance (ISA).

"We have had a good beginning to the COP21. A strong political impulse was given on the first day. Another significant initiative is the ISA launched by Indian Premier (Narendra) Modi that brings together over 120 countries," he told reporters at a press conference.

"This will enable developed and developing countries to work together to attract investments and technologies in the solar energy area," he said.

Aimed at bringing solar rich nations together and providing clean, affordable and renewable solar energy within the reach of all, the ISA was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with French President Francois Hollande on the first day of the Paris summit. The initiative was described by Modi as his "long cherished dream".

Noting that the alliance brings together developed and developing countries, governments and industries, laboratories and institutions in a "common enterprise", Modi had said India will host this initiative at the premises in its National Institute of Solar Energy in Gurgaon and also provide land and contribute approximately USD 30 million to build its secretariat infrastructure.