PM to Open Delhi Sustainable Development Summit 2013 on Jan. 31

Report by Santanu Ganguly, New Delhi: The 13th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS) is set to witness focused discussions among global leaders on resource-efficient growth, climate change and protection of natural resources. The Energy and Resources Institute’s (TERI) widely popular summit will be held at Hotel Taj Palace in New Delhi from January 31-February 2, 2013. The theme of the summit is “The Global Challenge of Resource-Efficient Growth and Development”—one of the most pressing challenges faced by the world today.

The Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh will be inaugurating the summit on January 31, 2013.

The Global Challenge of Resource Efficient Growth and Development is an all-embracing challenge which needs comprehensive assessment and analysis and responses by which the global economy can be taken in the direction of resource use efficiency. To deal with this subject comprehensively would require an elaboration of strategies and actions on every aspect of development, but as far as the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit, 2013 is concerned, focus would be confined to the following subjects:

• Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change

• Mitigating Emission of Greenhouse Gases and Associated Co-benefits

• Choices before the BRICS and a New Economic Construct

• Sustainable Development and the New Knowledge Economy

• Defining the Future We Want

Some of the key dignitaries who have confirmed their participation include:

1. Dr. Manmohan Singh, Hon’ble Prime Minister, India

2. H.E. Mr Donald Ramotar, President, Guyana

3. H.E. Mr Anote Tong, President, Kiribati

4. H.E. Mr James Alix Michel, President, Seychelles

5. Ms Jayanthi Natarajan, Hon'ble Minister of State (I/C) for Environment and Forests, India

6. H.E. Dr Mariyam Shakeela, Minister of Environment and Energy, Ministry of Housing and Environment, Maldives

7. Mr Arvinn Eikeland Gadgil, Deputy Minister for International Development, Norway

8. H.E. Mr Marcin Korolec, Minister of the Environment, Poland

9. The Hon’ble Jean-François Lisée, Minister of International Relations, La Francophonie and External Trade, Québec

10.H.E. Prof. Rolph Payet, Minister for Environment and Energy, Seychelles

11.H.E. Dr Plodprasop Suraswadi, Minister of Science and Technology, Thailand

12. H.E. Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs & Special Envoy for Energy and Climate Change, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UAE

13.Ms Jayanthi Natarajan, Hon'ble Minister of State (I/C) for Environment and Forests, India

14.Mr Haruhiko Kuroda, President, Asian Development Bank, Philippines

15. Mr Bindu Lohani, Vice-President for Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development, Asian Development Bank, Philippines

16. Mr Masahiro Kawai, Dean & CEO, Asian Development Bank Institute, Japan

17.Mr Jairam Ramesh, Hon’ble Minister for Rural Development, Government of India (Invited)

18.Prof. Carlo Rubbia, Scientific Director, Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies, Germany

Nobel Laureates’ Session

• Prof. Carlo Rubbia, Scientific Director, Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies, Germany

In addition, the tenth World CEO Sustainability Summit (WCSS)—themed ‘Resource Revolution: A Global Imperative and How Business Can Shape It’--will witness an impressive congregation of corporate leaders exchanging views on the role of business in protecting resources. The WCSS is schedule on 30 January 2013.

A central novelty at DSDS this year will be the thematic tracks, which will allow for detailed discussions on niche topics. Global Trends in Sustainable Production And Consumption with a special focus on edible oils; Mindset of Green Growth; Post-2015 Development Agenda and the Energy Future We Want for All; Reducing Inequalities: a Sustainable Development Challenge and Low carbon sustainable mobility for all will be some of the key areas on which parallel discussions will take place on the sidelines of the Summit.