First introduced to the public in 2019, Climate Diplomacy Week has become a landmark annual event where EU Delegations and embassies of EU Member States around the world host events to foster dialogue and cooperation on climate change. Called “Green Diplomacy Week” since 2023, the event still aims to serve as a platform to showcase success stories and inspire further action.
In late 2022, the EU launched the Global Gateway strategy, a new global strategy to build resilient connections with the world, with sustainable connectivity and green transitions as its main two pillars. In this context, Green Diplomacy Week 2024 will also serve as an opportunity to continue to build the momentum for the new global strategy.
This year’s Green Diplomacy Weeks will be carried out in the same semester as four key events for the global climate and environment agenda:
- The UN Convention on Biodiversity (UNCBD) COP16 in Colombia, 21 October - 1 November.
- the UN Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP29 in Azerbaijan 11-22 November.
- the negotiations on a new legally binding instrument on plastic pollution (INC-5) in the Republic of Korea, 25 November – 1 December and, fourthly;
- the UN Convention on Desertification (UNCCD) COP16 in Saudi Arabia, 2 – 13 December.
A series of events will be prepared jointly by the EU Delegation and Member States embassies either online, offline or in hybrid mode. Events will include panel discussions, exhibitions and clean up sessions, as well as a fun cycling event and will focus on engaging with Indian youth and public.
Please see below for more details about the events:
RE-INVEST Conference
DATE: 16-18 September 2024
LOCATION: Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, Gujarat
The 4th Global RE-INVEST Renewable Energy Investors Meet & Expo, organized by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, will be held from 16 – 18 September 2024 at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is the country partner for this event.
RE-Invest is a global platform bringing together key players in the renewable energy sector. The event will bring together government officials, industry leaders, investors, researchers, and policymakers. A dedicated exhibition will showcase the latest renewable energy technologies and solutions. The conference will delve into the future of energy, exploring trends, technologies, and policies shaping the global renewable energy landscape.
EU Member States like Germany, France and Denmark will actively take part in several sessions of the event and the EU Delegation to India will be involved in the following topics:
- Financing RE in India.
- Women in RE.
- Wind Energy.
- More information: https://re-invest.in/
- Link to Brochure: https://re-invest.in/pdf/Reinvest_Brochure.pdf
EU-India Water Forum on Water Cooperation
DATE: 18 September from 9:30 to 17:00
LOCATION: Bharat Mandap Hall, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi
The India-EU Water Partnership (IEWP) is an outcome of the ‘Joint Declaration on an India – EU Water Partnership (IEWP)’ adopted by the EU and the Government of India during the 13th EU-India Summit in Brussels in March 2016 and the Memorandum of Understanding on Water Cooperation between the EU and the Government of India signed in October 2016. The IEWP was set up to consolidate the political and strategic framework for more coherent and effective cooperation between the EU and India on water management issues. It aims to bring together governments, businesses, research institutions, and key stakeholders to promote innovative water management approaches, implement existing policies, and develop new policies and legislation, benefiting from the EU’s longstanding experience and vast know-how in water and river basin management.
The Action on Development and Implementation Support to the India-EU Water Partnership (IEWP Action) is implemented since 2017. The EU and the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) have commissioned GIZ with its implementation through co-financing to make best use of numerous synergies. The IEWP Action is being implemented in conjunction with the Indo-German Technical Cooperation Project Support to Ganga Rejuvenation (SGR).
The IEWP Action has been implemented in three phases. Phase I was implemented from 1 July 2017 to 31 October 2020 (40 months), and Phase II was implemented from 1 November 2020 to 30 November 2023 (37 months). The ongoing Phase III, India-EU Water Initiative (IEWI), commenced in March 2024 and will continue until February 2027 (36 months). The Action aims to enhance EU-India cooperation on technological, scientific, and management aspects of water management, as well as related joint EU-India business opportunities and partnerships between regions and cities in the water sector.
India EU Water Initiative aims to support the Team Europe Approach, which focuses on the common objective of enhanced coordination and complementarity in development cooperation efforts. Overall, the implementation of IEWI will help deliver the Global Gateway Strategy, providing an opportunity for the EU and India to work together in fostering quality policy dialogue, sustainable investments, and mutually beneficial cooperation towards reaching sustainable modernization and connectivity targets in India. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Water Cooperation signed between the EU and the Government of India, with an objective to strengthen technological, scientific and management capabilities of India and the EU in the field of water management on basis of equality, reciprocity and mutual benefit. As part of Areas of Cooperation outlined in the MoU, India and EU aim to jointly organize India-European Water Forum events at regular intervals to discuss and share views on water-related matters of common interest. In line with the suggestion of the Secretary, DoWR,RD&GR, Ministry of Jal Shakti in a meeting held on 6th March regarding Phase 3 of India EU Water Initiative it was agreed to organize the 6th India EU Water Forum under the framework of the 8th India Water Week in September 2024.
As part of the India Water Week organised by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the 6th India – EU Water Forum will aim to explore relevant areas in water sector as well as to put light on developments of India-EU Water Partnership to which the governmental representatives, experts, researchers, businesses, and other stakeholders can contribute and benefit from.
- More information: https://indiawaterweek.in
Cycling event by the Dutch and German Embassies, the EU Delegation and ‘Delhi by Cycle’
DATE: 29 September 2024
LOCATION: Delhi
Like the ‘Cycling 4 Life’ event organised in March 2023, the NGO ‘Delhi by Cycle’, the Dutch and German Embassies, and the EU Delegation are organising a new cycling event on 29 September. It will combine several highly relevant purposes ranging from raising awareness on pollution and climate change issues, promoting healthy lifestyle, avoiding CO2 emissions, to exploring Delhi from the unique bicycle perspective…
Click on the link to get an insight of last year’s event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ah-6pxx9pGg
The event will start at the Dutch Embassy (where the official part will take place), will consist of a 15-20 km route along some of the main thoroughfares of Delhi, and finish at Nehru park with some food and refreshments and additional activities. A limited number of bicycles can be rented on the spot from the organising partners ‘Delhi by Cycle’.
Below you can find the draft programme of the event, still subject to potential adjustments.
| Start: Netherlands Embassy | |
|---|---|
| Time | Minute to Minute |
| 07:00 AM - 07:30 AM | Registration and Assembly of People with their respective cycles |
| 07:30 AM - 07:35 AM | Ambassadors & Deputy Ambassadors arrive at the Netherlands Embassy |
| 07:35 AM - 07:50 AM | Brief remarks by (deputy) Ambassadors (Germany, Netherland, EU, tbc) |
| 07:50 AM - 07:55 AM | Address by LG Office |
| 07:55 AM - 08:00 AM | Flag-Off of the “Cycle4LiFE Cylothon” |
08:00 AM – 09:30 AM cycling
[Netherlands Embassy – Vijay Chowk – Kartavya Path – Gandhi Smriti – Lodi Garden – Nehru Park (near German Embassy)]
| End: Nehru Park / German Embassy | |
|---|---|
| Time | Minute to Minute |
| 09:00 AM - 09:30 AM | Arrival of cyclists / handing in of the rented bikes |
| 09:30 AM - 09:45 AM | Word of thanks by the (deputy) Ambassadors |
| 09:45 AM - 10:15 AM | Cycling advocacy speeches / working on ground level experience sharing |
| 10:15 AM - 11:00 AM | Workshop / zumba / yoga |
| 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Music |
Panel discussion: EU contribution to India’s decarbonization journey
DATE: 7 November 2024
LOCATION: Embassy of Sweden in New Delhi
The pressing challenge of climate change necessitates a global collaborative effort to decarbonize economies and transition to sustainable, low-carbon futures. The European Union (EU) has been at the forefront of this transformation, leveraging its expertise, technologies, and policies to support global partners in their decarbonization efforts. India, as one of the world's largest and fastest-growing economies, plays a crucial role in this global endeavour.
The Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT), co-founded by India and Sweden, underscores the commitment of public and private sectors to achieve net-zero emissions. Under the LeadIT umbrella, EU Member States have been instrumental in contributing to India’s decarbonization journey. This panel discussion aims to explore and strengthen the EU-India collaboration in accelerating clean energy transitions, transforming climate challenges into business opportunities, and driving sustainable growth.
Objectives:
- To highlight the contributions of EU member states to India’s decarbonization journey under the LeadIT initiative.
- To discuss strategies for enhancing the pace of clean energy transitions in India.
- To explore opportunities for turning climate challenges into business opportunities, minimizing risks, and maximizing growth at the national level.
Importance of the discussion:
- Strengthening EU-India collaboration: The discussion will showcase the successful collaborations between EU Member States and India, demonstrating the tangible impacts of these partnerships.
- Accelerating clean transition: By sharing best practices and innovative solutions, the panel will provide insights on how to expedite India’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
- Economic growth and sustainability: The dialogue will focus on how climate action can be harmonized with economic growth, ensuring that the transition to clean energy not only addresses environmental challenges but also fosters business opportunities and growth.
This panel discussion aims to provide a platform for sharing knowledge, experiences, and innovative approaches to decarbonization. By fostering a collaborative dialogue between EU Member States and India, we can strengthen our collective efforts to achieve a sustainable, low-carbon future. The insights gained from this discussion will contribute to shaping effective policies and strategies for a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous world.
