4 February 2010
Quote of the Day
This is a trend setting curtain-raiser. This World CEO Forum is important because we have to tell the government and the civil society that business is going to lead."
Dr R K Pachauri
Quote of the Day
In business, we need to focus on non-polluting, resource-efficient business - the 'green' race is on."
Mr Bjoern Stigson
Quote of the Day
It is important to give hope to all the unfortunate ones and their families."
Dr Farooq Abdullah
Quote of the Day
We have the power, to give them power. I urge you, powerful people to loosen your purse strings and light a billion lives."
Shilpa Shetty
Quote of the Day
Sustainability is not just an environmental issue but has evolved into an economic issue."
Mr Kris Gopalakrishnan
Quote of the Day
Issues such as climate change, water, and energy are no longer seen as corporate social responsibility but as crucial business activities, forming part of the corporate strategy."
Mr Vikram Singh Mehta
Quote of the Day
Live simply so that others can simply live (quoting MK Gandhi)."
Ms Meera H Sanyal
Quote of the Day
By 2050 more than a billion people in India will have mobiles, second only to China."
Mr Manoj Kohli
Quote of the Day
Shareholders won't pay for inclusive growth in the long run."
Mr Prasad Chandran
Quote of the Day
Information technology will be a game changer."
Mr Arun Seth
Quote of the Day
Some immediate expenses will have to be made by business."
Mr Shekar Viswanathan
Quote of the Day
Solutions of tomorrow have to be created in emerging countries."
Mr Vivek Mohan

Opening Session

Raising the curtains on DSDS 2010, the World CEO Forum firmly brought the spotlight on the overarching theme - ‘Vision for a Sustainable Tomorrow: business as a game changer’.

Organised by TERI BCSD (Business Council for Sustainable development) India, a partner of the WBCSD (World Business Council for Sustainable Development), Geneva, this unique global gathering of CEOs saw these leaders prepared to build their thoughts around three pillars of discussions - Vision 2050: the new agenda for business; Green Economy: a transformation to address climate change and multiple crises; and Water: the new challenge for the 21st century.

At the inaugural session, Dr R K Pachauri, President, TERI BCSD India & Director General, TERI, and Mr Bjoern Stigson, President, WBCSD, welcomed all the business leaders. Other dignitaries present on the occasion included - Mr Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary, UNFCCC; and Dr Ajay Mathur, Director General, Bureau of Energy Efficiency.

Welcome Address

Addressing top corporate CEOs from across the globe, he expressed delight over the role played by TERI BCSD’s 102 member-companies in establishing a link between business and industry with sustainable development. He emphasized that ‘business as usual’ is no longer a choice, and that business has to shift the focus from productivity, profitability and sales, towards the objective of sustainability while taking business decision.
 
Talking about the need to move towards ‘green’ business, he emphasized the importance of the voice of the Indian business community. He spoke about the need for developing nations like India to build as much urbanized infrastructure by 2050 to improve the quality of life of its growing population. He said that the ‘green’ race is as much between companies as it is between countries, and India has to quickly decide upon its response.
 
Dr R K Pachauri President, TERI-BCSD India   Mr Bjoern Stigson President, WBCSD    

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