Dominica & India sign an International Solar Alliance (ISA) Framework Agreement to exploit solar energy

On Thursday 8th March 2018, Dominica & India signed an International Solar Alliance (ISA) Framework Agreement, which aims to exploit solar energy among solar-rich member states. So far 46 United Nations member countries have signed the agreement. Dominica is the latest to sign. Indian High Commissioner to Dominica, Bishwadip Dey, spoke at the signing ceremony on Thursday, and described the signing as “a very important occasion, which would definitely be a step forward in confronting the climate change problem that we are facing”.

​Indian High Commissioner to Dominica, Bishwadip Dey
 
Addressing the ceremony, Foreign Affairs Minister Francine Baron, said it is well known that the high cost of energy has been holding back investments and economic growth in the Caribbean. She stated that “In fact, the cost of energy in the Caribbean is said to be the highest in the Western Hemisphere, and among the highest in the world. It is our desire to stem the leakage of investment resources that these high costs represent and reduce the cost of energy to consumers. That has motivated our action in the area of renewable energy.”
 
According it its website, ISA’s mission “is to provide a dedicated platform for cooperation among solar resource-rich countries where the global community, including bilateral and multilateral organizations, corporates, industry, and other stakeholders, can make a positive contribution to help achieve the common goals of increasing the use of solar energy in meeting energy needs of prospective ISA member countries, in a safe, convenient, affordable, equitable and sustainable manner.” The initiative was started by the governments of India and France. 

Meantime, Dey said he appreciated the resilience of the Dominican people after the hurricane.
 
“On the behalf of the Government of India and the people of India, I can assure you that we stand with you in your reconstruction efforts and to fight climate change and any other eventuality which will follow,” he said.
 
He stated that if any assistance is required, the Government of India will be there to help, “to the best of our ability.” In September last year, Maria hit Dominica as a Category 5 hurricane, and caused widespread devastation and destruction.
 
The police reported that 31 people have been confirmed dead, and 34 more are missing and presumed dead.