Silver Jubilee edition of WSDS by TERI positions Global South at the centre of climate action, finance reform and sustainable transformation
The Silver Jubilee edition of the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2026, organised by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) commenced in New Delhi, bringing together global leaders, policymakers, industry heads, researchers and civil society representatives to accelerate climate and sustainability action.
The 25th edition of WSDS opened at Taj Palace under the theme “परिवर्तन | Transformations: Vision, Voices and Values for Sustainable Development.” The summit has evolved into a prominent independently convened global platform for sustainable development based in the Global South.
From Awareness to Action
Nitin Desai, Chairman of TERI, in his welcome address,stressed that the global sustainability debate must now transition from dialogue to delivery.
He underlined that implementation, not awareness, remains the biggest hurdle in achieving climate and development goals.
The summit has progressively shifted from being a discussion forum to a solutions-driven platform shaping climate discourse for developing nations, said Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General of TERI.
She emphasized the urgency of action at both national and global levels.
A special message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the principle of “Antyodaya” — prioritising the most vulnerable in climate action.
The Prime Minister noted that developing nations must balance poverty eradication with planetary protection, calling for scaled-up climate finance, technology transfer and stronger global partnerships. He urged developed nations to take greater responsibility in delivering financial and technological commitments.
Ministerial Call for Climate Leadership
The summit was formally inaugurated by Bhupender Yadav, India’s Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change. In his keynote address, Yadav described the moment as critical for humanity and called for translating climate ambition into measurable accountability.
He urged stakeholders to move “from pledges to performance” and from “ambition to accountability,” framing the summit’s theme as a strategic necessity rather than a symbolic gesture.
In the inaugural address, Bharrat Jagdeo, Vice President of Guyana, highlighted how national leadership can drive climate progress even amid global uncertainties. He cited Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy and its monetisation of forest carbon credits as examples of climate action generating economic value while balancing resource development.
Launch of Him-CONNECT to Boost Himalayan Innovation
A key highlight of the opening day was the launch of Him-CONNECT, an innovation platform introduced by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The initiative aims to connect technologies developed for the Himalayan region under the National Mission for Himalayan Studies with start-ups, entrepreneurs and investors.
The platform is expected to accelerate sustainable mountain development, protect fragile ecosystems and promote green livelihoods across the Indian Himalayan region.
TERI also released a commemorative publication titled World Sustainable Development Summit (2001–2026): 25 Editions of Driving Ambition and Action on Sustainable Development – An Archival Pocketbook, documenting the summit’s evolution over the past 25 years and its role in shaping global sustainability dialogue.
Focus Areas: Climate Finance, Energy and Governance
WSDS 2026 began with thematic deep-dive sessions focusing on climate finance, clean energy transitions, pollution control, resource security and global governance frameworks. These discussions are expected to inform high-level plenaries over the next two days and foster actionable partnerships.
Over the past two and a half decades, WSDS has grown into a key international forum amplifying perspectives from the Global South. As countries grapple with overlapping crises — including climate change, biodiversity loss, financing gaps and inequality — the 2026 edition aims to push beyond incremental progress toward systemic transformation.
The summit will continue through 27 February 2026, featuring leadership dialogues and sector-specific deliberations aimed at advancing a just, resilient and sustainable future.