New Delhi to host World Sustainable Development Summit on February 7

The Summit is expected to be inaugurated by Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar, accompanied by Brigadier (Retd) Mark Phillips, Prime Minister of Guyana and Bhupender Yadav, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Distinguished speakers at the Summit include Vatimi Rayalu, Minister, Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways, Fiji; Willie Tokataake, Minister, Ministry of Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy (MISE), Kiribati; Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa, Government of India;  Teresa Ribera Rodríguez, Minister, Ministry for the Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, Spain; Martin Raiser, Vice President for South Asia Region, The World Bank; Keheliya Rambukwella, Minister of Environment, Sri Lanka; and Prof Hoesung Lee, Former Chair, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Other notable speakers include Eric Garcetti, United States Ambassador to the Republic of India; Dia Mirza, Actor & Goodwill Ambassador – UNEP; Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for; and Jim Skea, Chair, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

The annual flagship multi-stakeholder event organized by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) is the only independently convened international Summit on sustainable development and environment based in the Global South, orchestrating impactful dialogues on a large scale.

In the backdrop of ever-growing conflict situation, planetary crisis, and sliding back of key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Summit is an endeavour to assemble thought leaders, policymakers, and experts to engage in meaningful discussions, share innovative solutions, and formulate strategies that prioritize not only environmental sustainability but also social equity.

The WSDS 2024 will be convened under the umbrella theme of ‘Leadership for Sustainable Development and Climate Justice’ and aims to highlight the crucial role visionary leadership plays in steering the world towards a path of sustainability.

In addition to the inaugural and valedictory, the Summit will have 11 plenary sessions. The Summit will also include high-level sessions on women leadership, businesses, and youth.

Emphasizing the urgent need to amplify the voices of Global South, Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI, said, “As we get ready for the 23rd edition of the World Sustainable Development Summit, I look forward to witnessing the convergence of global leaders, policymakers, and visionaries at this unique platform."

"The theme for the Summit underscores the imperative for decisive action, visionary leadership, and collective responsibility. TERI is honoured to spearhead this dialogue, fostering innovative solutions and strategies for a sustainable and just future," Dhawan said.

Highlighting the pivotal role of WSDS in advancing discussions on sustainable development and climate action Shailly Kedia, Curator, WSDS, and Senior Fellow, TERI emphasised, “We are living in a time of Polycrisis. Key challenges confronting the world include planetary crises, sliding back of key sustainable development goals and the ever-growing conflict situation threatening world peace. It is more important than ever that environment stewardship is promoted at all levels and across all spheres. Today’s challenges for attaining sustainable development are complex and interconnected and will need everyone to work towards creating a more sustainable future. In this context, the World Sustainable Development Summit 2024 will be held under the umbrella theme of Leading for Sustainable Development and Climate Justice.”