4th Indo-German Environment Forum Concludes with Wetland Conservation Agreement
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and Germany's Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) jointly organized the 4th Indo-German Environment Forum (IGEF) in New Delhi on September 1, 2026. The forum, co-chaired by Union Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav and German Minister H.E. Carsten Schneider, focused on building climate-resilient, resource-efficient and sustainable development pathways under the theme 'Together For More Resilience'.
During the event, India and Germany signed a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on Conservation and Wise Use of Wetlands of International Importance. This agreement establishes a platform for strengthening scientific understanding, sharing wetland management best practices, developing restoration approaches, and enhancing community participation in wetland conservation.
Union Minister Yadav emphasized that India's circular economy has the potential to generate over USD 2 trillion in market value and create nearly 10 million jobs by 2050. He highlighted that India has been consistently achieving its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) commitments ahead of schedule and called for the forum to focus on strengthening knowledge bases for environmental decision-making, advancing scalable approaches for climate and biodiversity, and building institutional capacities for implementation.
German Minister Schneider praised India's rapid renewable energy expansion, stating that the country serves as a role model for other regions with solar panels and wind turbines appearing across the nation. He noted that 2026 marks 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Germany and expressed Germany's keen interest in deepening the strategic partnership, particularly in climate adaptation and wetland protection through joint projects and knowledge sharing.
The forum included thematic sessions on Low-Carbon Industries; Biodiversity in Wetlands, Mountains and Forests; Resource Efficiency & Circular Economy as a Business Model; and Sustainable Finance, Green Skills & Investment Mobilization. Three Joint Working Groups on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Circular Economy had met ahead of the forum to discuss progress and areas of mutual interest.
Minister Yadav also addressed the Indo-German Business Forum, highlighting collaboration potential in renewable energy, energy storage, green hydrogen, energy efficiency, sustainable manufacturing, and associated technologies. The event was organized in association with the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business (APA) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), bringing together policymakers, private-sector representatives, think tanks, and other stakeholders from both countries.