Dr Vibha Dhawan (Director General, TERI) set the stage and expectations for the day. Delivering the ‘Global Leadership Message’, H. E. Mr Michael R. Bloomberg, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions; Founder, Bloomberg L P and Bloomberg Philanthropies stressed the urgency of collective action. In his recorded remarks, he stated, “As we approach the 10-year anniversary of the Paris Climate Agreement, action is needed more urgently than ever. India has shown how partnerships across governments, businesses, and civil society can drive progress. This Summit is an opportunity to strengthen existing partnerships, create new ones, and share proven solutions".
This was followed by invocation which included a Guided Meditation for Healing the Self and the Planet, led by BK Shivani, Rajyog Teacher, Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization, offering a space for introspection and collective healing.
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The plenary brought together global experts and policymakers to discuss ecosystem challenges and explore nature-based solutions for restoration and conservation. Distinguished speakers included Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI; Dr Pema Gyamtsho, Director General, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development; Prof Petteri Taalas, Director General, Finnish Meteorological Institute; H.E. Ms May-Elin Stener, Ambassador of Norway to India; Dr Nisha Bakker, Director of Partnerships, The Ocean Cleanup; Dr Dindo Campilan, Regional Director for Asia & Hub Director for Oceania, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN); Mr Ranjit Barthakur, Founder Forester, Balipara Foundation; and Ms Suruchi Bhadwal, Senior Fellow & Director, TERI. A video message was delivered by Mr Vidar Helgesen, Executive Secretary, UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.
Watch VideoThe plenary aimed to deliver actionable recommendations and strategies to mobilise resources, strengthen public finance mechanisms, reform financial systems, and align investments with climate action and sustainable development goals. Chaired by Ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri, Distinguished Fellow at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), the panel featured distinguished speakers, including H.E. Mr Yutaka Matsuzawa, Vice-Minister for Global Environmental Affairs, Japan; Dr Sujata Gupta, Director, Asian Development Bank; Mr Manish Chourasia, COO, Tata Capital Limited; Ms Tatiana Lipskaia, Senior Vice-President for ESG, Sberbank; Dr Jennie Dodson, Senior Director, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD); Ms Ilka Hirt, Deputy Director-General for International Policy, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Germany; Ms Priya Shankar, India Director, Climate and Environment Program, Bloomberg Philanthropies; Mr Sankar Chakraborti, Group CEO, Acuité Group; and Ms Heeta Lakhani, Founder & Director, The ClimAct Foundation.
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Bringing together ministers, policymakers, and climate leaders, the session focused on strengthening multilateral cooperation to drive climate action at a global scale. Chaired by Mr R R Rashmi, Distinguished Fellow at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), the session featured a Science Leadership Address by Prof Jim Skea, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The Ministerial Address was delivered by H.E. Ms Marina Silva, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Brazil; H.E. Mr Aain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, Minister, Ministry of Forest and Environment, Nepal; H.E. Dr Muaviyath Mohamed, Minister of State for Tourism and Environment, Maldives; and H.E. Mr Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, Minister of Climate and the Environment, Government of Norway. The Leadership Address featured insights from Ms Jennifer Lee Morgan, State Secretary and Special Envoy for International Climate Action at the Federal Foreign Office, Federal Republic of Germany (virtual); Ms Helen Clarkson, Chief Executive Officer, Climate Group; and Ms Anne Jellema, Executive Director, 350.org.
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This session aimed to discuss strategies for mobilising actions to achieve universal energy access, advance clean energy adoption, and improve energy efficiency while ensuring sustainable progress toward SDG 7 by 2030. Moderated by Ms Urmi Goswami, Assistant Editor, The Economic Times, the discussion featured distinguished experts, including Dr Ajay Mathur, Director General, The International Solar Alliance; Ambassador Arne Walther, Former Secretary General, International Energy Forum; Ms Amanda Maxwell, Managing Director, Global Division, Natural Resources Defense Council; Ms Seema Paul, Program Director, India, Sequoia Climate Foundation; Ms Mansi Madan Tripathy, VP, Shell Lubricants Asia Pacific & Chairperson, Shell Group of Companies India; Ms Shweta Pandey, Vice President, Legal and Compliance, Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India Pvt. Ltd.; Ms Laura Aylett, Head of Climate and Energy, British High Commission, New Delhi; Mr Ajay Shankar, Distinguished Fellow, TERI; Dr Ritu Mathur, Director, TERI; Prof Jeffrey Sachs, Director, Center for Sustainable Development in the Earth Institute, Columbia University; and Prof Hoesung Lee, Former Chair, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
The session also featured the launch of the TERI Energy & Environment Data Diary and Yearbook (TEDDY), providing critical insights into India's energy and environmental landscape.
