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MoEFCC Minister Bhupender Yadav inaugurates 25th World Sustainable Development Summit; Him-CONNECT and WSDS Archival Pocketbook launched at TerraZone
New Delhi | February 25, 2026: The Silver Jubilee edition of the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2026, the annual flagship platform of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), commenced today at the Taj Palace, bringing together global leaders, policymakers, industry captains, researchers, and civil society to advance the agenda of transformative climate and development action.
Held under the umbrella theme “परिवर्तन | Transformations: Vision, Voices and Values for Sustainable Development”, the 25th edition of WSDS marks a significant milestone in the Summit’s legacy as the only independently convened international platform on sustainable development based in the Global South.
Delivering the Welcome Address, Mr Nitin Desai, Chairman, TERI, said, “Today, the world is completely different. Our challenge is not awareness. Our challenge is action. The whole transition of the World Sustainable Development Summit has been away from just talking about awareness, to better understanding of what needs to be done to promote sustainability. We have a very serious problem of actual implementation.”
Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI, in her Theme Address, highlighted, “Over 25 editions, WSDS has evolved into the only independently convened platform shaping discourse on climate change and sustainable development for the global south. We have done enough of talk show in what we require today’s action both at India’s level and at global level.”
Before signing off, Dr Dhawan read out a Special Message shared by Shri Narendra Modi, the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. One of the pertinent remarks shared, “Our approach is guided by Antyodaya, the rise of even the most disempowered. Climate action must first protect the vulnerable, the poor, and the disadvantaged. The Global South bears a disproportionate burden of climate change. Yet for them, development is imperative. Climate justice is therefore essential. Developing nations must eradicate poverty and hunger, while safeguarding the planet. This requires technology transfer, financing options and partnerships. Developed countries bear a special responsibility to move faster, live sustainably, and deliver finance and technology at scale. Let this conference strengthen resolve, deepen cooperation and secure a sustainable future for our planet. I extend my best wishes for productive and forward-looking deliberations at the Silver Jubilee edition of WSDS.”
In the Special Address, Mr Siddharth Sharma, CEO, Tata Trusts, underscored, “This is a time for action, it’s important that we democratize the language of climate change, it is not something which has to be restricted to conferences, to drawing room discussions, to boardrooms, it has to go to the masses, they have to understand how it impacts them and then we have to work on solutions which are rooted in the local context with equal emphasis given to adaptation as we give to mitigation.”
Ministerial Inaugural: A Call for Vision-Led Climate Leadership
The Summit was formally inaugurated by Shri Bhupender Yadav, Hon’ble Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. In his Keynote Address, the Minister underscored India’s commitment to climate ambition anchored in equity, resilience, and sustainable growth. On how WSDS has grown into a unique forum from the Global South that brings together governments, industry, academia, civil society, and communities to translate the science of sustainability into policy, partnerships, and practical action, Shri Yadav said, “Today is not merely a celebration of legacy, it is a defining moment for humanity and for the planet. The umbrella theme of this Summit — Transformations: Vision, Voices, and Values for Sustainable Development — is a strategic necessity. But leadership demands धैर्य (resolve) and दृष्टि (vision). The Theory of Change highlighted in the Summit — Constructivism, Learning, Transformation — reminds us that norms evolve through dialogue. But the next 25 years must be about execution. We must move: From pledges to performance. From targets to trajectories. From ambition to accountability. Let this be remembered as the Summit where: Vision became actionable. Voices became inclusive. Values became institutional. Let परिवर्तन not remain a theme. Let it become a global movement.”
In the Inaugural Address, H.E. Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, Vice President, Cooperative Republic of Guyana remarked, “When this Summit began twenty-five years ago, the focus was on raising awareness of climate and sustainability issues. Today, the challenge is no longer awareness, but resolute action and higher ambition to meet our goals. With major economies stepping back, achieving climate targets, especially in carbon pricing, multilateral regimes, and sectors like aviation and shipping, becomes far more difficult. Yet strong national leadership can drive progress. In Guyana, our 2009 Low Carbon Development Strategy has proven that standing forests provide high-quality, cost-effective mitigation. We have sold forest carbon credits worth hundreds of millions into voluntary and compliance markets, even as we responsibly develop oil resources, showing that sustainability delivers real economic value”.
Launch of HIM-CONNECT and WSDS Silver Jubilee Archival Pocketbook
A major highlight of the inaugural day was the launch of Him-CONNECT– An Innovation Mela from and on the Himalayas, an initiative of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The platform aims to connect technologies developed for the Himalayan region under the National Mission for Himalayan Studies with start-ups, entrepreneurs, and investors to accelerate sustainable mountain development.
The launch signals a renewed policy thrust on safeguarding fragile mountain ecosystems while fostering green livelihoods and innovation-led growth across the Indian Himalayan Region.
TERI unveiled the WSDS Silver Jubilee Commemorative publication titled: World Sustainable Development Summit (2001–2026): 25 Editions of Driving Ambition and Action on Sustainable Development – An Archival Pocketbook. The publication chronicles 25 years of global dialogue, leadership, and partnerships shaped through WSDS, documenting its journey of convening Heads of State, Ministers, Nobel Laureates, business leaders, and change-makers from across the world. About the Silver Jubilee Archival Pocketbook, Dr Shailly Kedia, Curator, World Sustainable Development Summit, said, “The archival book documents the 25 editions of our collective journey. It traces the Summit’s evolution from agenda setting to a more solution-oriented engagement, capturing key announcements, flagship initiatives, and milestones that have shaped global sustainability conversations.”
Focused Thematic Deliberations
Earlier in the day, WSDS 2026 convened a series of focused deep dive thematic tracks addressing critical priorities for India and the Global South, including climate finance, clean energy, addressing pollution, resource security and global governance. These focused deliberations are expected to feed into broader plenaries over the next two days, catalysing actionable partnerships and policy recommendations.
The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Mr Sanjay Seth, Senior Director, TERI. He expressed his sincere gratitude to the eminent dignitaries and acknowledged the efforts and support of international partners, the Ministries of the Government of India, state governments, corporate partners, academic institutions, think tanks and civil society organizations. He shared, “The collective efforts of our partners is what gives WSDS its depth, credibility, and impact, and we deeply appreciate their forthcoming support in shaping the Summit and its outcomes.”
A Silver Jubilee Moment for the Global South
Over the past 25 years, WSDS has evolved into a pivotal global platform amplifying Southern perspectives on sustainable development. As the world confronts intersecting crises—climate, biodiversity, finance, and equity—the 2026 Silver Jubilee edition seeks to move beyond incrementalism toward systemic transformation.
The inaugural session set the tone for the days ahead, reinforcing that transformative change demands long-term vision, diverse voices, and values-driven leadership.
WSDS 2026 will continue through 27 February 2026, convening high-level plenaries, global leadership addresses, and sectoral deep-dives aimed at accelerating ambition and action for a just, resilient, and sustainable future.
