The 25th edition of the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) will be held from February 25 to 27, 2026 at the Taj Palace, New Delhi, marking the Silver Jubilee of one of the world’s longest-running global platforms on sustainable development convened by The Energy and Resources Institute.
Held annually since 2001, the World Sustainable Development Summit has emerged as a leading international forum hosted from the Global South, bringing together heads of state and government, ministers, global policymakers, business leaders, scientists, development practitioners and civil society representatives. Over the past twenty-five years, the summit has served as a space for shaping dialogue on climate change, sustainable development and global cooperation.
The theme of WSDS 2026 is “Transformations Vision Voices and Values for Sustainable Development”, reflecting the growing recognition that incremental change is no longer sufficient to address global environmental and development challenges. The theme emphasises the need for systemic transformation driven by long-term vision, inclusive voices and shared values to accelerate progress on climate action, energy transitions, resilient infrastructure, sustainable finance and equitable growth.
The three-day summit will feature high-level plenary sessions, ministerial dialogues, thematic tracks, CEO forums and policy discussions covering critical sectors of the sustainability agenda. These deliberations are expected to contribute to global policy processes and international cooperation efforts related to climate change, sustainable development goals and economic transformation.
WSDS 2026 will host participation from eminent policymakers, industry leaders, international organisations, researchers and experts from across the world. The multi-stakeholder nature of the summit is designed to foster partnerships that translate dialogue into action, encourage innovation, strengthen climate finance mechanisms and support the implementation of sustainable development pathways.
The Silver Jubilee edition comes at a time when global assessments indicate significant gaps in climate and development progress, underscoring the urgency for coordinated and transformative action. Through focused discussions and collaborative engagement, the summit aims to mobilise collective ambition and advance practical solutions for sustainability challenges.
Over the years, the World Sustainable Development Summit has built a strong legacy as an independent and credible international platform, amplifying perspectives from developing countries while promoting global cooperation. WSDS 2026 is expected to reaffirm this role by positioning sustainability at the centre of economic, social and environmental decision-making.
