14th DELHI SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT: ATTAINING ENERGY, WATER AND FOOD SECURITY FOR ALL

"The energy-water-food nexus, underscores the global challenges that we face as a society. The increasing global population, industrialization and urbanization pose stress to our energy, water and food supplies. Unsustainable development, extreme weather conditions and impacts of climate change only intensify these pressures. According to UN estimates, for a population that could top 10 billion by 2050, in the next 15 to 20 years alone we will need 30 percent more water, 45 percent more energy and 50 percent more food. Shortages of resources could cause social and political instability, geopolitical conflict and irreparable environmental damage. Any strategy that focuses on one part of the water-food-energy nexus without considering its interconnections risks serious unintended consequences." — World Economic Forum, 2011 

Though the corporate risk and opportunities related to the energy-water-food nexus is still nascent in the minds of many businesses, several companies have seriously begun to focus on this nexus by way of reorienting or broadening their business strategies. — Conservation International's Business and Sustainability Council Study, 

Energy, water and food Security form comprehensive vertices of the development triangle covering the sources for many other problems faced by society at large. The corporate agenda towards energy, water and food security needs to be identified for convergent action. Corporations further need to understand the importance of engaging in policy to advance public interest, ensure equitable decision making & minimize business risk.

Speakers of 2014

Mr Tadashi Maekawa, President, Mayekawa Mfg. Co. Ltd., Japan

Glimpses of past years

The recent landmark Companies Act 2013 passed by the two houses of parliament, Government of India, has set the tone for a more modern legislation which enables growth and greater regulation of the corporate sector in India. The forward looking Act is expected to improve corporate governance norms, enhance accountability and encourage corporate democracy. Further, it is observed that the mandated 2% from profits after tax on Indian businesses, to be utilized for corporate social responsibility, has the potential to unleash huge economic and social value. 

Against this backdrop, the High Level Corporate Dialogue will be convened on 5th February, 2014 as the curtain raiser to the 14th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS). To be held from February 6 to February 8, 2014 in New Delhi, DSDS 2014 will be conducted under the broad rubric, 'Attaining Energy, Water and Food Security for All'. The High Level Corporate Dialogue will be therefore be themed 'How will Businesses Lead India's Energy, Water and Food Security'. The Dialogue will also attempt a blueprint of actions that will help embed social and shared value in view of the new business paradigm for Indian companies. 

Over 300 delegates consisting of CEOs, CSOs, heads of multi/bi-lateral organizations and senior government representatives from across the globe will come together to discuss corporate action towards the goal of attaining energy, water and food security for all. Confirmations include Mr Yvo de Boer, Special Global Advisor, Climate Change and Sustainability, KPMG International, and Former Executive Secretary, UNFCCC, UK; Dr Richard Sandor, Chairman and CEO, Environmental Financial Products, LLC, USA; Mr Venkatesh Valluri, Chairman and President, Ingersoll Rand, India; Ms Luz Mary Guerrero Hernandez, Co-founder and President, Servientrega, Colombia; Mr Avinash Patkar, Head – Sustainability, TQMS – a Division of Tata Sons, India; Mr C N Raghupathi, Vice-President and Head of India Business at Infosys, India; Mr Tadashi Maekawa, President, Mayekawa Mfg. Co. Ltd., Japan; and Ms Amina J Mohamed, Special Advisor to the Secretary-General on Post-2015 Development Planning, United Nations, USA.

The High Level Corporate Dialogue will be held from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm, followed by a reception hosted by the United Nations to launch their Sustainable Energy for All ( SE4All) campaign. The agenda will be available shortly.