Today the World is facing a Series of Challenges, Driven by Unprecedented crises, unfolding One after another, ranging from The Global Energy Crisis, triggered by 2 Prolonged Wars, to Socio- Economic & Political Unrest, Civil Wars and growing mistrust, among the Nations. These are further compounded by recurring Financial Instability and Increasing Scarcity of Natural Resources. At the same time, The World continues to grapple, with escalating Disaster Risks, extreme Weather Events; Such as Heatwaves, Global Health Outbreaks, erosion of mutual acceptance and Trust, across the Societies.
Moreover, the average temperature of Our Planet has now exceeded 1.5˚ Celsius above Pre-Industrial Levels, an alarming Threshold, with Serious Implications for Human Survival. This temperature rise threatens to destabilise Planetary Systems and severely impact the Global Development Agenda. In the Post-COVID era, Millions of families have been Pushed into Poverty, Significantly affecting access to Basic Education and Essential Community Healthcare. The urgency for Decisive and Accelerated Climate Action has never been Greater, than that of Today.
To address these multifaceted Challenges, at this Crucial Juncture, We need Collective Action and Solution-Oriented Decision-making. A reflection on the history and ancient Civilisations; reveal that India has consistently demonstrated exceptional Resilience and Global Leadership in Sustainability, through Low-Consumption Lifestyles, a Culture that rooted in Minimal Waste, and a deep reverence for Nature. In this Context, the Global Sustainability Summit (GSS’) 2026 emerges as a Credible Platform to address these Pressing Challenges. It aims to showcase India’s Pragmatic Sustainability Leadership Over the Past Years, while envisioning its contributions to The Global Community as the Nation Approaches its Centenary in 2047, fostering a more Resilient and Decarbonized future.
The GSS’2026 Serves as a Powerful Forum to Dialogue, Debate, Discuss the Pressing Challenges We are encountering in our Day to Day Life; and to Deliver rightful Solutions to these Challenges, bringing together, Thought Leaders, Prolific Thinkers, Policymakers, Government Representatives, Industry and Business Leaders, Academicians, Researchers, Scientists, and Distinguished Personalities from Sports, Media, Culture, Music and Arts. Being hosted at the Epicenter of the India, National Capital, New Delhi, the Summit is likely to Create meaningful Partnership, Collaborations and Forward-looking Strategies for a better Planet. The Global Summit is scheduled for 23rd–24th July 2026 at the Prestigious Venue of Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, would also mark a Significant Milestone for the Celebration of IISD-CMI’s 18 Years of Dedicated Service to the Society, Nation and The Planet. On this auspicious Occasion, The National Steering and Organizing Commitee also wish to recognize Individuals, and Organizations for their Exemplary Contributions to the Nation in their fields, across Economic, Social, and Environmental Sustainability in their respective areas of expertise, making India Proud at the global arena through National Sustainability Award, 2026, to be decided by an Eminent Jury Panel.
Indian Institute of Sustainable Development (IISD) is registered as a National Not-for-Profit, Independent Public Policy Think Tank and Scientific Research Institute at New Delhi, with an objective of working for ensuring overall improvement for lives and living of Common Man, through research innovation and engaging with Communities at grass-root level. IISD strives to put India into a Sustainable Path that is Inclusive and Equitable, involving people, Planet and Business.
https://iisdindia.in/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/iisdindia/about/
Carbon Minus India (CMI) is engaged to evolve a Strategic Framework for India as well as the Planet, in identifying Low Carbon Growth Opportunities and to Guide / Facilitate a series of Planned and Scaled-up Programs, which would support the on-going Dialogues for establishing a Climate Friendly Development Path, which raise National Awareness and Facilitate informed consensus on India’s Efforts to address Local to Global Climate Change Adaptation, Climate Vulnerability Assessment, Climate Change Mitigation and Climate Resilience and Disaster Risk Reduction for Our Cities, Villages and different Vulnerable Communities.
https://carbonminus.org/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/carbon-minus-india-new-delhi/about/
Established in 2007, the School of Business Sustainability (SBS) at IISD offers sought-after Courses and National Certification Programs for Professionals, Industries & Businesses, and Academicians & Researchers. With a Mission to build Sustainability Competence among Industries and other Stakeholders; Since July 2008, IISD-CMI has hosted Courses with over 2000 National & International Participants. SBS is notable for its Annual Flagship Programs on ESG, BRSR, and Sustainability Reporting, attracting Professionals from Cross-Cutting Sectors.
certificatecourses.iisdindia.in https://www.linkedin.com/company/school-of-business-sustainability/
The Carbon Management School (
“Our Vision is to emerge as one among the Leading Global Knowledge & Action, Think Tanks and Centre of Excellence, in the fields Sustainability, ensuring Peace, Prosperity and Sustainable Development for Mankind, in harmony with Nature, to Sustain this Planet, with full of Hopes and Lives ahead, forever.”
Indian Institute of Sustainable Development (IISD) and Carbon Minus India (CMI), New Delhi is registered as a National Independent Not–for-Profit, Public Policy Think Tank and Research Institute at New Delhi, with an objective of working for ensuring Overall improvement of Lives and Living of Common Man, through Scientific Research, Innovations and engaging with Communities at Grassroot level. IISD strives to Put India into a Sustainable Path that is Inclusive and Equitable, involving People, Planet and Business.
The Objective of IISD-CMI’s 18 Year Celebration is to boost India’s Sustainability and Climate Leadership Agenda in the Planetary Interests.
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Shri C.S. Setty is an Indian Banker and the Current Chairman of the State Bank of India. He has over 3 Decades of Banking Experience and has held Key Leadership Roles across Retail, International, and Digital Banking. Before becoming Chairman, he Served as Managing Director of SBI. He is Known for his Focus on Digital Transformation, Financial Inclusion and Strengthening Banking Services in India.
Padma Shri Shri D.R. Karthikeyan (Retd IPS:1964:KA) is the Former Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He held Several Key Positions, including Senior Roles in Karnataka State Intelligence and the National Human Rights Commission. He also Led the Special Investigation Team for the Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case. In Recognition of his Distinguished Service to the Nation, he was Awarded the Padma Shri in 2010.
CA Shri Shailesh Haribhakti is a Veteran Chartered Accountant, with Over 4 Decades of Experience in Building and Leading the Reputed Firm Haribhakti & Co. LLP. He is Currently an Independent Director on Several Major Corporate Boards, including Chairman of L&T Finance Holdings Limited. He is also engaged in Advisory and Consulting Work through Shailesh Haribhakti & Associates and Promotes Sustainability and Governance Initiatives through his Work and Writings, including his Book Audit Renaissance. He is widely Known for his “Shared Value” Creation, ESG and Sustainable Business Practices.
Prof. Mahendra K. Chouhan is a Board Advisor and Management Educator Specialising in ESG, Sustainability and Corporate Governance. He is Chairman of Mahendra & Young Knowledge Foundation and Was the Founding Chairman of Fino Payment Bank (2017–2022). He is also a Consultant to the IFC (World Bank Group) and is associated with Several Global Governance and Sustainability Bodies and is a Well-Known International Expert in Corporate Governance and Sustainable Business Practices. He is the Upcoming President of the IMC Chamber of Commerce, Mumbai.
H.E. Amb. Manjeev Singh Puri was an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Diplomat and Ambassador of India to Nepal. He has Served at Different Capacities in Indian Missions Abroad, including India’s Foreign Ministry and Many Multilateral Organizations, such as the United Nations, European Union etc. and also Negotiates Climate at UNFCCC COPs for India.
H.E. Amb. Dammu Ravi is a distinguished Indian Diplomat from the 1989 batch of the Indian Foreign Service who served as Secretary (Economic Relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs until August 2025. During his career, he held key postings in Mexico, Cuba, Brussels and New Delhi, led India’s trade and WTO negotiations, and played an important role in economic diplomacy, BRICS engagement, and strategic global partnerships.
Padma Shri Dr Shailesh Nayak is an Indian Space Scientist of International Repute, a Science Diplomat, is the Director of the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) and the Distinguished Scientist in the Ministry of Earth Sciences. He was the Chair of the Earth System Science Organization (ESSO) and Secretary to the Government of India for the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). He has Provided the able Leadership to the Space Research Centre (SRC), Ahmadabad, under ISRO.
Dr. Soumya Swaminathan is the Chairman of the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) and a Former Chief Scientist at the World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva, Switzerland. Renowned for her Expertise in Global Health and Research, Dr. Swaminathan has Significantly Contributed to Public Health and Medical Research, Particularly in the areas of Infectious Diseases and Nutrition. Her Leadership at MSSRF focuses on Sustainable Development and Agricultural Innovation.
Dr Pema Gyamtsho is the Director General for the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), a Regional Knowledge Centre, Based in Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Nepal. He is an Agricultural Scientist, with experience in Both the Political Arena and Development Sector. He has Worked with the Royal Government of Bhutan for over 30 Years and was Bhutan’s First Democratically Elected Minister of Agriculture and Forest from 2013 to 2018 and has Served as the Leader of Opposition. He has also Worked with Helvetas Swiss Interco-operation and ICIMOD earlier.
Padma Vibhushan Dr. Raghunath Anant Mashelkar is the Former Director General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India’s Largest Research and Development Organization. Addressing the Competition between India and China regarding Innovation, he Outlines important Steps India Can take to Bolster its Global Stance in Research & Development and Promoting Indigenous Indian Innovation through Anjani Mashelkar Foundation.
The GSS' 26 Brand Ambassador
Iqra Khan is a computer science graduate and youth leader working at the crossroads of technology, sustainability, and inclusive development. For her, technology is not just a discipline. It is a tool for meaningful societal change.
She believes that innovation without ethical reflection risks deepening inequality and environmental harm. Sustainability is not a theme alongside progress. It is the framework that must define it. Her leadership is grounded in responsibility, clarity, and a deep commitment to ensuring that ambition never outruns conscience.
Iqra sees young people not as symbolic participants in global conversations, but as active architects of systemic change. When youth are given platforms to question, build, and collaborate, they move beyond awareness into agency. What drives her is a long term orientation toward impact. She represents a generation that is technically literate, socially aware, and ethically grounded. For Iqra Khan, true progress is not measured by growth alone. It is measured by its capacity to heal, include, and endure.
Dr Srikanta K. Panigrahi is a Leading Global Sustainability Thought Leader, the Distinguished Research Fellow and Director General, Indian Institute of Sustainable Development (IISD) and an IISD Initiative Carbon Minus India (CMI); Both are Public Policy Think Tanks and Scientific Research Institutes at New Delhi.
He is a Well-known Indian Policy Maker and Technocrat, Who has worked with the Government of India, United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and The World Bank. He is a Member to National Strategic Knowledge and few Other Missions on Climate Change; to implement the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). He was a Member Secretary to a Prestigious Working Group to Prepare the National Action Plan for Operationalizing CDM in India, based on which CDM rolled in India and the Report of the Committee on Biofuels, at Planning Commission (Now NITI Aayog), Both the Reports are submitted to Indian Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). He is in Few Government Of India & United Nation’s Steering Committees & Task Forces on Technology Transfer, Climate / ESG Risk Finance, Transition Finance and UN-SDGs Implementation.
He has represented India in many Conference Of Parties (COPs) and International Climate Change Negotiations in UNFCCC and also Known as Chief Architect of Indian Carbon Market. He is awarded the National Science Popularization Award by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, for his Extraordinary Contribution and Commitments to Popularize Science among the Common Mass and is Recognized by UNEP for his Valuable Contribution and Leadership in Catalyzing Environment Actions, On World Environment Day, 2007. MIT Sloan School of Management has recognized him, as an En-Road Climate Ambassador, in Policy Makers Category.
He had Research Fellowship of Massachusetts Institute Of Technology (MIT), Cambridge MA, USA. He was an UNEP/UNESCO Fellow, Where he has delivered Guest Lectures in Prestigious 149 Universities of the Globe, including from India and abroad.
Director General and Distinguished Research Fellow, IISD
Tree Planted by IISD-CMI along with their 121 CBOs under UNEP’s – The Billion Tree Campaign
National/International Campaigns/Public Outreach Programs
Registered Volunteers
Industry, Business House, Corporate, Diplomatic Mission & Institutional and Not-For-Profit-Member.
Policy Advisory, Research, Consultancy Projects Done
Field Staffs for under taking Primary Survey & Other Field Research Assignments
IISD-CMI Members National Partnering NGOs and CBOs
Sites in PAN India Where Cleaning Operations Organized
Media Meets and Press Release are made Public
Scientists, Researchers, Public Policy Analyst, Engineers, Economists and Other Staffs
Empanelment’s in Central/State Govt Ministries, Research Labs, UN Organization
National/International Seminars, Workshops, Conclaves and Summits
