Dr. Joyashree Roy, Bangabandhu Chair Professor, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand and Professor of Economic, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, was the keynote speaker. She delved on the role of diverse stakeholders across the sectors who can make meaningful contribution towards climate action.

In her keynote address Dr. Roy said “Crises from Climate induced changes will be unfair, larger, deeper and far-reaching than that of the financial meltdown of 2008 and the global pandemic of 2020. It can be clearly predicted that winners will be those who invest in climate-smart ideas and business models. With the increasing demand for sustainable development, environment services are likely to be the key drivers of business affluence. Early movers to emerge as leaders in the prosperous new climate economy needs to recognize standard assets, risks to critical infrastructure, new frontiers in end-use granular technology and invest in people and social capital involving change architects.”

Dr. Alka Mittal, CMD ONGC and President, GCNI paid rich tributes to Shri Subir Raha and called him a visionary leader for the business and an advocate of comprehensive human welfare that included material well-being.

In her address Dr Mittal said, “The theme of “Climate Conversation and the secret of prosperity in the 21st Century” for this year’s Late Subir Raha Memorial Lecture is very important as the economic benefits of climate action are greater than ever and the costs of inaction are increasing. If we don’t take action today, the damage could be even more lasting than the devastating effects of COVID-19 pandemic. To address climate change, it is critical to act with the same determination and craft climate policies that can make a difference.”

Mr. Ranjan Kumar Mohapatra, Director HR, IOCL and Chair, Administration Committee GCNI delivered opening remarks and welcomed all the respected speakers and guests attended the 10th Subir Raha Memorial Lecture. The lecture is our tribute to the great achievements of Late Shri Subir Raha, Founder President of UN GCNI and Former CMD of ONGC. Today, GCNI is recognized globally in top 10 local networks, and we owe that to Mr. Raha’s determination and passion.”

People from diverse institutions/sectors like PSUs, Corporate, Civil Society Organizations, UN Agencies and Business Schools including students from various Universities and Institutions attended the event.

Notes to the Editors

Subir Raha Memorial Lecture is an annual flagship event of United Nations (UN) Global Compact Network India (GCNI), which is dedicated to the memory of charismatic and admired former Chairman & Managing Director of ONGC, Late Shri Subir Raha. As founder president of UN Global Compact Network, India, he helped set up the organization in November 2003 and led it till May 2006 with a focus to implement UN’s Ten Principles in the areas of Human Rights, Labour Standard, Environment and Anti-Corruption in India. His foresightedness, determination and passion galvanized GCNI to emerge as one of the leading networks among UN Global Compact family across the world.

Global Compact Network India (GCNI), formed in November 2000, was registered in 2003 as a non-profit society to function as the Indian Local Network of the Global Compact, New York. It is the first Local Network in the world to be established with full legal recognition. It, also as a country level platform for businesses, civil organizations, public and private sector, aids in aligning stakeholders’ responsible practices towards the Ten Universally Accepted Principles of UNGC in the areas of Human Rights, Labour, Environment and Anti – corruption, broad goals including Sustainable Development Goals and other key sister initiatives of the United Nations and its systems.

It has also emerged as the largest corporate sustainability initiative in India and globally with a pan India membership of over 500 leading business and non-business participants, strengthening their commitment to the Global Compact Principles by becoming proud members of the Local Network in India. For more details, please visit www.globalcompact.in

The highlights of the discussions and the recommendations for corporates to achieve Climate Conversation and the secret of prosperity in 21st Century ….

• Stakeholders from diverse sectors and institutions like PSUs, Corporate, Civil Society Organizations, UN Agencies can be the role model to achieve Climate Conversation and the secret of prosperity in 21st Century.
• If we as a responsible business don’t take action today, the damage could be even more lasting than the devastating effects of COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
• Govt and private sector should work together to achieve universal climate goals.
• All the sector needs to come together with collective action to address climate challenges and bring policy change in the nation.