The 22nd edition of the annual flagship event of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)—the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS)—will be held from 22-24 February 2023 in New Delhi. The Summit deliberations will focus on the umbrella theme: Mainstreaming Sustainable Development and Climate Resilience for Collective Action.

The year 2022 marks an important milestone. It has been 50 years since the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, popularly known as the 1972 Stockholm Conference. Fifty years on, the world has made many strides in bringing to the forefront the issues related to the environment, biodiversity loss, climate change, and has achieved many milestones in integrating sustainable development into the public, private and societal discourses. But we still have a long way to go. It is increasingly being recognized that our political, environmental, and commercial activities are still carried out in silos and lack a systemic approach. The mechanisms and tools within policymaking are often carried out in departmental and departmental silos, thus missing the opportunity to collectively act towards sustainable development. The Summit will be organized in 2023, the year India will be holding the Presidency of G20. This is a golden opportunity to further the voice of the Global South on issues related to sustainable development and climate action. The year will also see the important process of global stocktake at the climate negotiations at COP28.

It is with this background, TERI is bringing together leading representatives from international organizations, government, business & industries, research & academia, civil society, and youth to deliberate on the modus operandi required for mainstreaming sustainable development and climate resilience for collective action. The Summit deliberations will examine topics such as finance, science, technology and innovation, sustainable consumption, inclusive energy transitions, climate action, and the global commons. Special features at the Summit will include Ministerial Sessions, Youth Plenary, Women Leadership Plenary, CEO Forum, Media Colloquium and Thematic Tracks.

The Summit series aims to extend its reach through closer engagement with stakeholders to collectively act through a major initiative on policy research and dialogue - #Act4Earth, which was launched at the valedictory session of WSDS 2022. The Summit will also see the launch of WSDS 2023 ‘Act4Earth Manifesto’ which will distill the headline messages emanating from WSDS 2023. By playing a constructivist role, the Summit will seek to reinforce commitment at all levels to enhance ambition and action to create a more sustainable and equitable world for present and future generations.