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