The Global Solar Council has been launched at the 2015 United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP21) with the goal of making photovoltaics the world's largest source of electricity generation. "Today, the solar power sector has united to fight climate change," said council Chairman Bruce Douglas. "There is consensus that solar power will become the principal source of electricity generation. It has a hugely important role to play in the international efforts to ultimately eliminate carbon emissions from the power sector." The principal members of the organization are national and regional solar associations from both established and emerging markets including the world's largest markets of China, Europe, India, Middle East, Australia, South America and the U.S. Solar power is already one of the cheapest forms of electricity, according to the council, with the leveled cost of solar electricity 80 percent lower than it was during COP15 in 2009. The council said a 10 percent share of global power generation is possible by 2030, compared to "Joining forces under the GSC will help our industry spread the message that, from a technology point of view and, more generally, [a] cost-competitiveness perspective, solar generation has to be included in[the] plans to fight climate change," said Eric Ast of solar association Solarunited. "Giving future generations the best possible world is a necessity." The Global Solar Council intends to establish its secretariat and legal entity in the U.S., with headquarters in China. Membership is open to any association active in the solar industry. "Our goal is to encourage the wide-scale adoption of solar energy through cooperation, education, and training," said council Secretary-General John Smirnow.