NEWS – Malta becomes 119th member of International Solar Alliance

THE INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ALLIANCE (ISA)

• Alliance of countries, primarily located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn launched by India
• Aim – Address energy security and promoting the use of solar energy
• Officially launched on November 30, 2015, at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris
• of the ISA is to promote the use of solar energy for sustainable development and to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The alliance seeks to create a platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing among its member countries to harness solar power
• International Solar Alliance (ISA) Secretariat is headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana, India. The establishment of the ISA Secretariat in Gurugram was officially announced during the Founding Conference of the ISA held on March 11, 2018

MALTA

• Archipelago consisting of three main islands: Malta, Gozo, and Comino.
• Capital city is Valletta
• Has a rich history, with influences from various civilizations, including the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Knights of St. John, and the British
• The Maltese language, a Semitic language with influences from Italian and English, is one of the official languages, alongside English.
• Gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1964 and became a republic in 1974. It is a member of the Commonwealth
• Joined the European Union in 2004 and adopted the euro as its currency in 2008.
• Has a mixed-market economy with a focus on services, particularly financial services, tourism, and manufacturing
• Malta is a popular tourist destination, known for its historic sites, Mediterranean climate, and vibrant culture. Valletta, Mdina, and the Megalithic Temples are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• The predominant religion is Roman Catholicism
• Malta has a strategic location in the Mediterranean, which has historically made it important for trade and military purposes
• Malta offers a citizenship-by-investment program, allowing individuals to acquire Maltese citizenship through a financial contribution and other investments