Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change(MoEFCC) inaugurated the 24th edition of the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2025, held from March 5 to 7, 2025 in New Delhi, Delhi. The theme for WSDS 2025 is “Partnerships for Accelerating Sustainable Development and Climate Solutions.”
- The WSDS is an annual event hosted by Bengaluru(Karnataka) based The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) since 2001.
- WSDS 2025 featured plenary sessions, and exhibitions, aimed at strengthening dialogue and action on sustainable development and climate solutions.
Key Attendees: The event was attended by Prime Minister (PM) of Republic of Guyana Brigadier Mark Phillips, and Brazil’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Marina Silva. It also featured Nitin Desai, Chairman of TERI, and Dr. Vibha Dhawan, Director General (DG) of TERI, along with subject experts and other dignitaries.
Highlights of WSDS 2025:
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav Addresses Inaugural Session:
i.Addressing the inaugural session of the WSDS 2025, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav outlined India’s long-term vision, aiming to become a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.
- He reaffirmed India’s commitment to sustainability under PM of India Narendra Modi’s leadership, highlighting key initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance (ISA), the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment).
ii.He also highlighted that India achieved a 7.93% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 2020, 36% reduction in emission intensity between 2005 and 2020, progressing towards the 45% target by 2030.
iii.He concluded by emphasizing that climate action must be integrated with the broader Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to tackle poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation.
iv.During the event, a special edition of TerraGreen was released, featuring pioneering research, insightful case studies, and expert perspectives on environmental sustainability.
Sustainable Development Leadership Award (SDLA) 2025:
During WSDS 2025, the TERI presented the SDLA 2025 to Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, Vice President of Guyana, and Marina Silva, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Brazil.
About Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo:
i.Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo was honored for his groundbreaking contributions to climate action. Guyana’s Prime Minister(PM), Mark Phillips, accepted the award on his behalf.
ii.In 2009, he introduced Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), making the country a leader in forest conservation and climate finance.
iii.Under his guidance, Guyana implemented one of the first national-level payment systems for ecosystem services, setting a model for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+).
About Marina Silva:
i.Marina Silva recognized for their exceptional contributions to the promotion of sustainability and climate action.
ii.Under his guidance, Brazil reduced deforestation in the Amazon by 46% in 2024, compared to 2022, reaching its lowest level in the last 9 years, and the establishment, in 2023, of the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) Mechanism as a means to increase financial flows to nature protection and payment for ecosystem services.
About The Sustainable Development Leadership Award (SDLA):
The SDLA, established in 2005, recognizes individuals who have made a significant impact on climate action and sustainable development.
- It honors leaders who take bold initiatives to drive meaningful change rather than waiting for it to occur.
About Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change,(MoEFCC):
Union Minister– Bhupendra Yadav (Constituency -Alwar, Rajasthan)
Minister of State (MoS)– Kirtivardhan Singh (Constituency- Gonda , Uttar Pradesh UP)
