The World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) is the annual flagship sustainability conference organized by The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI), an independent research institute based in New Delhi, India. Instituted in 2001, WSDS fosters global dialogue and thought leadership on the pressing challenges at the intersection of climate, energy, and sustainable development.
Platform for Environmental Justice
With a legacy of over two decades, WSDS has emerged as a credible and vital platform that advances actionable solutions to balance economic progress with environmental justice. It is an independently convened summit in the Global South that has provided long-term solutions for sustainable development through multi-stakeholder participation over 23 editions so far.
The upcoming WSDS 2024 is slated to take place from February 22-24 at TERI Gram, Gurugram, Haryana under the theme “Leadership for the Sustainable Development and Climate Justice.”
Driving Consensus for Climate Justice
The impacts of climate change have led to unequal outcomes for different countries, communities within countries, and vulnerable demographics. WSDS 2024 will mobilize political, business, and civil society leadership to build consensus and accord to tackle this great imbalance against developing countries that have contributed the least to global warming.
The summit this year focuses on ensuring support for just, equitable, and inclusive sustainable development through access to finance, technology, and capacity building for the Global South.
2022 Outcomes and Commitments
Last year’s summit on the theme “Towards a Resilient Planet: Ensuring a Sustainable and Equitable Future” saw robust participation from 120 countries with representation from business leaders, policymakers, youth groups, thought leaders, and climate activists.
Key outcomes of 2022 Summit
- Launch of Global Alliance on Mangroves for Climate
- Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) committing $50 million
- TERI’s World Sustainable Development Forum launching networks for youth mentorship
- Over 100 organizations pledged to reduce emissions from road transport via the Zero Emission Pathways for Transport initiative
Envisioned Commitments for WSDS 2024
| Particulars | Commitments |
| Nations tabling enhanced NDCs | 25 Countries |
| Businesses announcing net-zero targets | 55 Corporations |
| New members joining Mangroves Alliance | 35 Partners |
| Funds pledged for Loss & Damage Financing | $100 Million |
Leadership for Sustainable Development
WSDS convenes some of the most enlightened thinkers, leaders, and change-makers pushing the boundaries of sustainability discourse. Eminent personalities deliver keynote addresses, panel insights, and ideate on creative formats at the summit, spurring ideas, inspiring action, and influencing policy.
Previous speakers include UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, COP Presidents like Alok Sharma and Carolina Schmidt, thought leaders like Jeffrey Sachs, policy pioneers like Dr. R.K Pachauri and Dr. Prodipto Ghosh, and changemakers like Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim.
GALAXY Dialogues and Global Outreach
Alongside mainstage programming, WSDS also hosts GALAXY dialogues – intimate conversations between luminaries and youth leaders from across the world that spark intergenerational transfer of knowledge and solidarity.
These curated one-on-ones amplify voices from across the globe, especially the least developed countries most vulnerable to climate disruptions. Ensuring worldwide reach, WSDS 2024 will also be live-streamed across digital platforms, leveraging technology for maximizing impact.
Youth Participation and Future Leaders
Constructively engaging young people globally has been a core tenet and legacy of WSDS over the last 23 years. Youth drive sustainability dialogues and receive mentorship opportunities with industry experts during the summit, inspiring partnerships and platforms for sustained action beyond the 3-day program.
International Participation
WSDS 2024 will foster international youth participation and develop future sustainability leaders through:
- Pitch-a-thons for students to showcase sustainability start-up ideas
- Hackathons to crowd-solve real-world energy access challenges in the developing world
- Masterclasses to hone skills like articulating policy, entrepreneurship, climate advocacy etc.
- Green jobs and mentoring platforms connecting graduates with sector leaders
By bringing together the brightest and most conscious change-makers of today and tomorrow, WSDS continues to positively shape sustainability discourse and inform responsible development policy across the world.
