India has signed the Host Country Agreement (HCA) with the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA), thereby clearing the way for the establishment of GBA’s Secretariat in the country. The agreement was signed by Dammu Ravi, Secretary (Economic Relations) from the Ministry of External Affairs, and Pankaj Jain, Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, who also serves as the Interim Director General of GBA.
India has emerged as the beacon of renewable energy and has already the International Solar Alliance (ISA) headquarters in Gurugram.
The Union Cabinet had already approved the signing and ratification of this agreement a week ago. The Ministry for External Affairs explained that the HCA will enable the GBA to establish its Secretariat in India, consisting of both Indian and international staff, to advance its mission.
MEA held, “The HCA will allow the GBA to set up its Secretariat in India, with a mix of Indian and international staff, to support its goals.”
In addition, the agreement grants the GBA legal status under the United Nations (Privileges and Immunities) Act of 1947, providing privileges and immunities to ensure the smooth functioning of its operations while complying with Indian law.
The Expanding GBA
The Global Biofuels Alliance was launched on September 9, 2023, during India’s G20 Presidency by the Indian Prime Minister and leaders from eight other nations, including Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Italy, Mauritius, Singapore, the UAE, and the USA. This collaborative initiative aims to promote the global adoption of biofuels by addressing challenges related to feedstock availability, creating favorable policy frameworks, and enhancing the biomass supply chain.
Since its inception, the Alliance has grown rapidly, expanding its membership to 27 countries and 12 international organizations in less than a year. The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted that establishing the GBA Secretariat in India is expected to create new employment opportunities for Indian biofuel experts and offer a platform for India’s private sector to showcase its innovation in the biofuels space.
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