Partners in Green Transition: Advancing Ambition, Action and Partnerships for COP31

Partners in Green Transition: Advancing Ambition, Action and Partnerships for COP31

23 September, 2026 | 10:00 AMVenue : The Claridges, New Delhi

The Chintan Research Foundation (CRF), in collaboration with the Australian High Commission in India, convened a high-level dialogue ahead of the Pre-COP in Fiji and COP31 in Antalya, bringing together policymakers, experts, development partners and representatives from the Global South and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The discussions focused on three interconnected priorities for climate action: resilient infrastructure, climate finance, and critical minerals and clean technologies. Speakers examined the challenges faced by climate-vulnerable countries in strengthening infrastructure resilience, accessing affordable and appropriate climate finance, and securing critical mineral and clean technology supply chains. The dialogue also highlighted the importance of implementation, institutional capacity, technology transfer, risk-sharing mechanisms and stronger international cooperation. Perspectives from India, Australia, Pacific SIDS and other developing countries underscored the need to translate global climate commitments into practical, accessible and development-oriented solutions. The event sought to inform discussions and policy considerations leading into COP31, with particular attention to the priorities and experiences of the Global South.

Speakers

Hon’ble Minister Chris Bowen

Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Government of Australia

Mr Shishir Priyadarshi

President, Chintan Research Foundation (CRF)

H.E. Ali Murat Ersoy

Ambassador of Republic of Türkiye to India

H.E. Philip Green

Ambassador of Australia to India

H.E. Kenneth Felix Haczynski da Nóbrega

Ambassador of Brazil to India

H.E. Nebiyu Tedla

Ambassador of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to India

H.E. Jagnnath Sami

Ambassador of Fiji to India

H.E. Jason Hall

Ambassador of Jamaica to India

Ms Rajasree Ray

Senior Economic Advisor, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India

Ms Gaurie Dwivedi

Executive Editor, NDTV

Dr Debajit Palit

Centre Head at Centre for Climate Change and Energy Transition, CRF

Mr Amit Prothi

Director General, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure

Ms Elizabeth Atwell

Head of Development & Green Growth, British High Commission in India

Mr Amit Kumar, Retd.

Senior Director TERI and Former Senior Fellow, Climate Program, WRI India

Prof. P.K. Joshi

School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University

Mr Siddartha Ramakanth

Director, Nangia & Co LLP, Papua New Guinea

Mr David Higgins

First Assistant Secretary, International Climate and Energy Division, Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment

Ms Neha Kumar

Head, South Asia, Climate Bonds Initiative

Ms Namrata Mukherjee

Strategic Planning Specialist, International Solar Alliance

Mr Julien Desmedt

First Secretary, Climate, Environment & Energy, EU Delegation to India

Mr Vivek Sen

India Director, Climate Policy Initiative

Dr Manish Srivastava

Associate Director, Earth Science and Climate Change Division, TERI

H.E. Ms. Arlette Gabriela Bustamante Garcia

Chargés d’affaires, Embassy of the Plurinational State of Bolivia

Ms Nidhi Srivastava

Head, Research and Strategy, Dravya, India

Ms Akanksha Tyagi

Senior Programme Lead, CEEW

Mr Gaylor Montmasson-Clair

CEO, Southern Transitions, South Africa

Mr Aditya Menon

Deputy Head (Public Policy & Government Affairs), Vedanta Ltd.

Ms Priti Shukla

Portfolio Manager, Energiva Ventures

Ms Vanessa Lacayo

Co-Founder & COO, Novasensa

Dr Divya Datt

Deputy Country Head, UNEP India

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