Shaping the Future with ESG, AI & Innovation: UN Global Compact Network India’s Regional Convention Highlights Urgent Need for Sustainable Business Practices
[Mumbai, India] – The UN Global Compact Network India (UN GCNI), the country’s official arm of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), successfully hosted its Regional Convention – West on October 10, 2025, themed “Shaping the Future with ESG, AI, and Innovation.” The landmark gathering brought together over 200 industry leaders, policymakers, and youth advocates to examine how ESG principles, artificial intelligence, and cutting-edge innovation can converge to drive progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The convention opened with a dynamic AI-powered video, celebrating the balance between technology and human welfare, followed by a welcome from Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Verma, Vice President (West), UN GCNI and Head- Environment, Health & Safety, Grasim Industries Ltd (AM), emphasizing the urgency of collaboration to advance sustainable business practices.
Vaishali Nigam Sinha, President of UN GCNI and Co-Founder of Renew, addressed the audience virtually, underscoring the critical role of ESG, AI, and innovation in shaping the global economy. She emphasized that sustainability is no longer optional but central to business strategy, urging companies and stakeholders to double or triple efforts to meet the 2030 SDG targets. “The time to act decisively is now; innovation and responsible practices must define the path forward,” she stated, inspiring participants to integrate sustainability at the core of their operations.
Dr. Angela Lusigi, UNDP Resident Representative in India, delivered the inaugural address, stressing that innovation must be human-centric, ethical, inclusive, and sustainable. She shared a stark global perspective: only 17% of SDG targets are on track, 35% are showing modest progress, and 47% are stagnating or reversing. “We must focus on environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and governance to drive meaningful change,” she urged, calling on businesses and stakeholders to align innovation with ethical and sustainable practices.
Prabhoda Acharya, Convenor of the Regional Convention and Chief Sustainability Officer, JSW Group, provided an overview of the event, highlighting the Western region’s leadership in industrial and environmental transformation in India. He emphasized the convention’s goal of fostering collaboration to accelerate SDG implementation through corporate action, urging businesses, policymakers, and innovators to work together to translate sustainability commitments into measurable impact.
Ratnesh, Executive Director of UN GCNI, shared insights into the organization’s 25-year journey, highlighting its growth from 44 founding companies in 2000 to over 20,000 participants across 167 countries. “This convention is a platform for fostering collaboration and accelerating progress toward sustainability goals,” he remarked.
Key Highlights:
- Innovation Meets ESG: Nitin Dumasia,Treasurer, UN GCNI & Founder, Growlity Inc highlighted India’s ESG reporting gap, with only 1.32% of Environmental Product Disclosures (EPDs) reported, signaling a significant opportunity for sustainable growth.
- Workshops & Labs: The ESG Tech Lab led by Prasanna Rao, from Nirantara Ecoventures Pvt. Ltd. showcased AI applications in ESG, from predictive modeling for occupational health and safety to advanced data protection strategies, emphasizing ethical and responsible AI.
- Sustainable Finance: Panels explored how financial institutions like Kotak Mahindra Bank and IDFC First Bank are integrating ESG into lending, with electric vehicle financing up 66%, demonstrating how finance, AI, and sustainability intersect.
- Green Chemistry & Carbon Capture: Industry leaders from UPL Limited and Veolia Carbon Clean India shared breakthroughs in sustainable chemical practices and carbon capture technologies for hard-to-abate sectors.
- Empowering Youth: Students from Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation schools demonstrated AI and robotics innovations, proving that next-generation thinkers are already redesigning the future.
The event concluded with inspiring addresses from Ms. Jaivee Kagalwala, Young SDG Ambassador, and Mr. Alok Vijayvergiya, Group CSO, Hinduja Group, who summarized the day in a poetic call to action for ethical innovation, conscious collaboration, and shared responsibility.