The 2nd IORA Renewable Energy Ministerial and Experts Meetings, 1st International Solar Alliance General Assembly and 2nd Global Renewable Energy Investment Meeting and Expo (REINVEST- 2018) were hosted by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India from 2 – 4 October 2018 in Delhi NCR, India.
The three events were jointly inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi, in the presence of Mr Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations on 2 October 2018 in New Delhi. Addressing the gathering, the Indian Prime Minister said that the aim of all three events is to create the alternative of clean energy for a green future. The UN Secretary General said that climate change is an existential threat for all. Pointing out that the world is witnessing a global renewable energy revolution, he raised the hope that the age of fossil fuels will end with a replacement for them.
The Indian Minister for External Affairs, Ms. Sushma Swaraj said that the high level of participation in the Second IORA Renewable Energy Ministerial Meeting and the spotlight on the ISA and REINVEST is an affirmation of collective desire to take the message of renewable energy forward. She mentioned that the Indian Ocean is at the centre of the emerging age of Asia and that India considers IORA as an important vehicle for furthering peace and security in the region, while also supporting the invigoration of IORA activities including blue economy, renewable energy, maritime safety and security, besides the development of regional HADR capacity to tackle mutual interest.
Marking yet another milestone for 2018, IORA and ISA signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 3 October 2018. Recognising renewable energy as an efficient solution to address challenges of energy access, energy security and climate change, this MoU is aimed at enhancing sustainable development and deployment of solar energy within the region.
The Second IORA Renewable Energy Experts Meeting held on 3 October 2018 provided a platform for experts to discuss energy needs within the region, identifying challenges in cooperation and coordination among concerned agencies and potential avenues of collaboration. The Experts Meeting included sessions on energy needs for IORA, renewable energy vistas, challenges in renewable energy implementation (G2B) and possibilities and opportunities for international collaboration and resulted in an outcome document entitled “Key Takeaways”. Experts highlighted the need for capacity building and conceptualised the way forward for renewable energy in IORA through this document.
The “Key Takeaways” were read out and adopted at the IORA Renewable Energy Ministerial held today, 4 October 2018. 17 Member States represented by Energy Ministers and Senior Officials and Experts participated in the event and adopted the Delhi Declaration on Renewable Energy to move forward on the path of sustainable development.
