New Delhi, 2 September 2025 – ERIA President Tetsuya Watanabe joined the 20th Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Global Sustainability Summit in New Delhi at the invitation of Mr Sanjiv Puri, Immediate Past President of CII and Chairman of the CII-ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development.

Speaking at the main panel session, President Watanabe emphasised that the transition to a low-carbon economy remains a global imperative, with the Global South making notable progress. However, he cautioned that major challenges persist in identifying enablers and overcoming barriers to a science-aligned yet realistic transition.

He conveyed three key messages:

1. Climate and development are inseparable for the Global South. Rapidly growing economies require energy that is reliable and affordable, even as their communities face disproportionate risks from climate change. 'Climate readiness must be embedded in growth strategies from the outset,' he stated.
2. Emerging economies face real structural constraints. In India and ASEAN, young coal fleets make early retirement financially and politically difficult. Underdeveloped rural and island grids hinder renewable integration, while high risk premiums and fragmented standards restrict capital flows to emerging markets. These, he stressed, are not excuses but realities that must inform practical solutions.
3. Collective approaches are essential. President Watanabe warned against fragmented strategies and called for pooling demand, harmonising standards, and sharing technology. Such co-operation, he argued, can reduce costs, attract investment, and accelerate scaling of solutions.

On the sidelines of the summit, President Watanabe held bilateral discussions with key Indian stakeholders, including Ambassador Shri Periasamy Kumaran, Secretary (East) of the Ministry of External Affairs; Shri Suman Bery, Honourable Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog; and Mr Sanjiv Puri. These meetings explored practical avenues for co-operation between ERIA and India, particularly in sustainable development, energy transition, MSME development, and regional economic integration.