TERI Unveils Vision for Silver Jubilee World Sustainable Development Summit 2026

Mumbai: The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) on February 3 hosted a pre-event press conference for the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2026, marking the 25th edition of the global sustainability forum. The interaction, held at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi, outlined the Summit’s priorities, thematic direction, and India’s role in advancing climate action, sustainable development, and global cooperation.

Scheduled to be held from 25–27 February 2026, the Silver Jubilee edition of WSDS will reflect on a quarter-century of sustainability dialogue while focusing on accelerating implementation and impact. Over the last 25 years, WSDS has evolved into a globally recognised platform bringing together governments, multilateral institutions, industry, finance, and civil society to shape solutions on climate action, energy transition, and sustainable development, with a consistent emphasis on Global South perspectives and South–South cooperation.

Welcoming the media, Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI, said the 2026 theme — “परिवर्तन | Transformations: Vision, Voices, and Values” — reflects WSDS’s journey from dialogue to action.

“The umbrella theme integrates forward-looking strategies (Vision), participatory engagement (Voices), and core principles (Values), signalling a shift towards accelerated implementation and measurable outcomes on the ground,” she said.

Delivering a special address, Leena Nandan, Distinguished Fellow, TERI and former Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, emphasised the importance of policy coherence and institutional strength for effective environmental governance.

“The sustainability path TERI set in motion 25 years ago now resonates globally. The Silver Jubilee WSDS will bring futuristic ideas, compelling narratives, and above all, hope for a better tomorrow,” she said.

Presenting an overview of WSDS 2026, Shailly Kedia, Curator, WSDS and Director, TERI, highlighted the Summit’s role as a science–policy platform fostering evidence-based dialogue and multi-stakeholder engagement, with a focus on actionable outcomes.

Offering a global and diplomatic perspective, Manjeev Singh Puri, Distinguished Fellow, TERI and former diplomat, underlined the urgency of international cooperation, particularly from the Global South.

“While sustainability debates often unfold in global capitals, WSDS brings the conversation to where challenges are most acute. It strengthens the Global South narrative in multilateral negotiations and highlights the power of local action,” he said.

Concluding the session, Sanjay Seth, Chairperson, Silver Jubilee Committee, WSDS and Senior Director, TERI, reflected on the Summit’s legacy and called for stronger Global South voices in shaping climate and development pathways. He invited the media to actively engage with WSDS 2026 in amplifying this narrative.

WSDS 2026 will bring together leaders from government, industry, finance, technology, and civil society to share insights drawn from real-world implementation, reinforcing the Summit’s position as a platform where policy, science, and practice converge. The press conference concluded with an interactive Q&A session, offering journalists deeper insights into the Summit’s themes, priorities, and participation framework.