New Delhi: On March 7, 2025, the 24th edition of the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS), an annual flagship event hosted by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), concluded in New Delhi, with a promise to accelerate global sustainability efforts. The theme for this year was: ‘Partnerships for Accelerating Sustainable Development and Climate Solutions’. Over the course of three days–packed with insightful plenary sessions and thematic tracks–world leaders, industry experts, policymakers, academics, and researchers convened to deliberate on pressing environmental challenges, climate resilience, and pathways for sustainable development.
Inaugural: Call for Collaborative Climate Action
The Summit was inaugurated with a call for international cooperation. Shri Bhupender Yadav, India’s Hon’ble Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability. He highlighted the necessity of sustainability as a core pillar of global development, emphasizing immediate and collective action. During the inaugural, the keynote speakers His Excellency Brigadier (Retd) Mr Mark Phillips, Prime Minister, Guyana emphasized the role of robust partnerships in addressing climate-related challenges, and Her Excellency Ms Marina Silva, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Brazil called for urgent action on climate finance and transitioning away from fossil fuels.
This year, the Sustainable Development Leadership Award (SDLA) was conferred on Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, Hon’ble Vice President, Guyana, and Ms Marina Silva, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Brazil, for their invaluable contribution to sustainability efforts and resilience building. His Excellency Brigadier (Retd) Mr Mark Phillips, Prime Minister, Guyana accepted the award on behalf of Dr Jagdeo.
A special issue of TerraGreen was launched, showcasing groundbreaking research, case studies, and thought leadership in environmental sustainability. TERI’s monthly magazine serves as a key resource for policymakers, researchers, and environmental enthusiasts seeking to stay informed on global and regional sustainability trends.
Climate Finance, Ecosystem Restoration, Energy Transition
On Day 2, the discussions focused on bridging climate finance gaps, restoring ecosystems, and accelerating the energy transition. In a recorded message, UN Special Envoy Michael R. Bloomberg underlined the need for stronger global partnerships to scale up climate solutions. Panels on nature-based solutions and ocean conservation included dignitaries, such as Ms May-Elin Stener, Norway’s Ambassador to India, who discussed the importance of Indo-Norwegian collaborations in achieving coastal sustainability.
Prof. Jim Skea, Chair, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), warned that the goal of limiting warming to 1.5°C is now hanging by a thread, stressing the urgent need for enhanced finance flows, particularly for adaptation, which remains underfunded. H.E. Marina Silva, Brazil’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, reinforced Brazil’s commitment to a just transition, advocating for sustainable economic alternatives that prioritize vulnerable communities and ecosystems. As the host of COP30, she emphasized the need for multilateral cooperation to translate commitments into action. H.E. Dr. Muaviyath Mohamed, Maldives’ Minister of State for Tourism and Environment endorsed stronger financial support, highlighting how partnerships between governments and non-state actors have bridged funding gaps and accelerated climate action.
The second day of the Summit concluded with the unveiling of the TERI Energy & Environment Data Diary and Yearbook (TEDDY 2023/24), which provides an extensive analysis of India’s energy landscape and sustainability measures.
Valedictory: Collaboration and Innovation Key to Advancing Sustainability
The final day of WSDS 2025 showcased key commitments to sustainable innovation and policy, including the landmark MoU between TERI and CONCOR to establish the ‘CONCOR-TERI Centre of Excellence for Green and Sustainable Logistics.’ This initiative aims to reduce freight transport emissions through railway-based logistics and green infrastructure development.
At the Ideas Forum, experts discussed the transformative role of clean energy, smart grids, and circular economy solutions. Mr Srivatsan Iyer, Global CEO of Hero Future Energies, highlighted India’s capacity to scale renewable energy solutions, while the Atal Innovation Mission and Norwegian Embassy announced a fellowship program to support community-driven battery storage innovations.
During the high-level plenary: ‘Achieving Sustainable Development through Integrated Action’, multilateral representatives called for cross-sectoral collaborations to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Mr Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator in India, emphasized the need for peace, solidarity, and gender equality as essential components of sustainability. Adding a gender lens to the sustainability discourse, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson, M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation noted that indoor pollution contributes to 50–60% of outdoor air pollution and disproportionately affects women.
At the valedictory, Ms Dia Mirza, renowned actor, producer, and UNEP Goodwill Ambassador delivered a captivating keynote address at the valedictory session of WSDS 2025. She emphasized the importance of immediate action to combat climate change and the need for inclusive sustainability efforts. She urged businesses, policymakers, and global leaders to integrate climate justice into their strategies, ensuring equitable progress toward sustainability goals.
The Summit concluded with the launch of the Act4Earth Manifesto, a strategic policy road map to guide global climate action, energy transitions, and sustainable development initiatives.
Youth Climate Conclave: Empowering Future Climate Leaders
The 24th edition of WSDS also featured the Youth Climate Conclave, a platform aimed at engaging young leaders in climate action. The conclave brought together students, young professionals, and emerging change-makers to discuss innovative solutions for climate challenges. The winners of the Youth Climate Conclave competition were felicitated for their outstanding contributions to sustainability, demonstrating the power of youth-driven initiatives in shaping a greener future.
WSDS 2026 and the Road to COP30
As WSDS 2025 drew to a close, TERI announced that the next edition will mark the Summit’s 25th anniversary, thereby setting the stage for even greater ambition and deeper global engagement. Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI, reflected on the Summit’s impact and said: “This year’s theme was centered on partnerships and collaborations. As we conclude, we leave with a wealth of ideas and strategies that will guide us to tackle future challenges.”
As global stakeholders gear up for COP30, WSDS 2025 has set a strong foundation for climate action, policy innovation, and strengthened international collaboration toward sustainability goals.
