Consider the following statements:
1. The International Solar Alliance was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015.
2. The Alliance includes all the member countries of the United Nations.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A
1 only
B
2 only
C
Both 1 and 2
D
Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: Option A
Explanation
1. Statement 1 is correct. The International Solar Alliance (ISA) was indeed launched jointly by India and France during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) held in Paris in 2015.
2. Statement 2 is incorrect. Initially, the Alliance was conceived for countries lying fully or partially between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn (the 'sunshine countries'). Later, its membership was opened to all member countries of the United Nations. However, not all UN member countries have joined the ISA. Therefore, the Alliance does not automatically include *all* UN member countries; membership is voluntary.