The discussions of the 2021 edition of the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) were launched on the eve of the World Environment Day as a virtual dialogue that was held under the broad Summit theme, ‘Redefining Our Common Future: Safe and Secure Environment for All'.

The Chief Guest of the launch was the Hon'ble Indian Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Mr Prakash Javadekar who in his video message laid emphasis on India's ethos to be one with nature in orderto lead sustainable lives in the midst of nature.

The other esteemed speakers of the session included, Prof Nicholas Stern, IG Patel Professor of Economics and Government, Co-Director of the India Observatory & Chair - Grantham Research Institute, LSE who in his statement elaborated on the need to do things differently in a post COVID era in an effort to reduce poverty and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The launch had the honour of the presence of three Country Heads including HE Mr Ugo Astuto, Ambassador of the European Union to India who staunchly advocated for a greater involvement of the youth in a post COVID era while imploring for experts to focus their actions for a healthier world for the youth.

HE Mr Hans Jacob Frydenlund, Ambassador of Norway to India on other hand focused on the India- Norway ties and looked forward to strengthening this cooperation in the areas of sustainability, biodiversity, environmental and economic growth, waste management, marine litter, among others.

HE Ms Jan Thompson, Acting British High Commissioner to Indiaemphasised how COP 26 to be held in November 2021 could be the moment for the world to unite for a clean and resilient recovery.

The launch of the Summit also had the privilege of the Summit's long standing partner, the Asian Development Bank. We were joined by Mr Woochong Um, Director General, Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department of ADB who while recognizing the longer partnership between the two organizations also elaborated on how recovery plans would need to be inclusive in order to ensure that no one was left behind.

The event also saw the launch of the youth dedicated initiative called, Youth Unite for a Safe and Secure Environment for All' as an effort to work much more closely with the youth community through dedicated webinars and competitions. We were also joined by a young member of the community, Ms Shambhavi Sharma who as the voice of the youth advocated of their greater involvement in decision- making processes.

With mammoth registrations for the webinar, the launch was also live streamed on YouTube. We received an overwhelming number of questions from the participants on both the Zoom and YouTube platforms which made the discussions extremely engaging.

This virtual dialogue was the first among a series planned on the themes including and not limited to: energy transition, water, waste management, sustainable transport, sustainable agriculture, economic priorities, and climate risk and its impact on health. Discussions from these virtual dialogues will be carried forth to the February 2021 Summit where they will be further deliberated on.