The MoU will enable the solarization of the aviation sector across all Member States

The International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the use of solar energy in the aviation sector.

India's Union Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya M Scindia, witnessed the signing of the MoU in Montreal, Canada on Monday.

"A proud moment for India as @icao signs an MoU with the International Solar Alliance, an initiative first proposed by Hon'ble PM @narendramodi Ji. Jointly hosted by India and France, the event marks a new dawn for the use of solar energy in the global civil aviation sector," he tweeted.

President of the ICAO Council Salvatore Sciacchitano and France's Minister of Transport Monsieur Clement Beaunne were also present at the MoU signing ceremony that was held on the sidelines of the 42nd Session of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly.

The MoU was signed by ISA's Chief of Operations Joshua Wycliffe and ICAO Secretary-General Juan Carlos Salazar.

According to an official press release by the Ministry of Civil Aviation on Wednesday, ICAO is committed towards reducing carbon emissions in aviation sector through its numerous initiatives and goals.

"Partnership between ISA and ICAO through this MoU could not have come at a better time, as it will trigger a range of interventions towards developing capacity of States to use solar energy. It will work towards providing information, providing advocacy, capacity building and demonstration projects. It will enable the solarization of aviation sector across all Member States," the ministry pointed out.

According to the press release, Union Minister Scindia brought up the possibility of ICAO joining forces with ISA at a meeting with the organization's head in Montreal in May 2022.

It added that the agreement and conclusion of the MoU took place over a four-month period, and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ISA and ICAO in the presence of the Ministers of India and France continues the bold initiative started in 2015 at COP 21 in Paris by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then-French President Francois Hollande.

The ISA, an alliance of 121 signatory countries and 32 partner organizations including many UN organizations, works for efficient consumption of solar energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. ISA strives to devise cost effective and transformational solutions for using renewable energy to member countries with a particular focus in delivering on impact in LDCs and SlDCs.