The Centre for Studies in International Trade and Investment Laws (CITIL) at Dharmashastra National Law University (DNLU), Jabalpur successfully concluded its two-day International Symposium on “Carbon Governance and Global Justice: Reconciling Trade Competitiveness and Climate Responsibility”, held from April 24–25, 2026.
Organized in collaboration with the WTO Chairs Programme (India Chair), Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL), Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, the symposium brought together leading voices from academia, policy, and industry to deliberate on pressing global challenges surrounding climate justice, carbon governance, and international trade.
The event was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Utkarsh K. Mishra, Director, CITIL, with institutional support from Prof. (Dr.) Manoj Kumar Sinha, Vice Chancellor, DNLU, and Dr. Praveen Tripathi, Registrar, DNLU.
Valedictory Ceremony Highlights Legal Role in Climate Action
Justice Vivek Agarwal Stresses Balance Between Industry and Environment
The symposium concluded on April 25, 2026, with a prestigious valedictory ceremony graced by Hon’ble Justice Vivek Agarwal, Judge of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh, as the Chief Guest. In his address, he underscored the importance of robust legal frameworks in maintaining a balance between industrial growth and environmental preservation.
The ceremony saw the participation of eminent dignitaries such as Prof. (Dr.) James J. Nedumpara, Head and Professor at CTIL and India Chair under the WTO Chairs Programme, alongside Prof. (Dr.) Manoj Kumar Sinha. The occasion was further enriched by the presence of Prof. (Dr.) Pradeep Kulshreshtha, Dean, School of Law, Bennett University, Noida.
Distinguished experts including Dr. Shalini Dhyani, Principal Scientist at CSIR-NEERI, Dr. Atul Kaushik, Fellow at the Global Development Centre, RIS, and Dr. Rosmy Joan, Associate Professor and Director at NALSAR University of Law, also attended as Guests of Honour. The academic community of DNLU was represented by Professor (Dr.) Shailesh N. Hadli, Dr. Shruti Nandwana, and Dr. Utkarsh K. Mishra.
A defining moment of the ceremony was the announcement of the top five research papers, along with the distribution of certificates, highlighting the symposium’s commitment to fostering rigorous academic engagement.
Inaugural Session Sets the Stage for High-Level Dialogue
Ujal Singh Bhatia Delivers Key Insights on Global Trade and Carbon Pricing
The symposium commenced on April 24, 2026, with an inaugural ceremony led by Mr. Ujal Singh Bhatia, former Appellate Body Member of the WTO and India’s former Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO, as the Chief Guest.
During his keynote expert talk, Mr. Ujal Singh Bhatia provided a comprehensive overview of the evolving global trade landscape and carbon pricing mechanisms, setting a strong intellectual foundation for the sessions that followed.
The inaugural session was also attended by Prof. (Dr.) Manoj Kumar Sinha, Prof. (Dr.) Manwendra K. Tiwari of Chanakya National Law University, Patna, and Prof. (Dr.) Surendra Singh of Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya, along with Dr. Praveen Tripathi and Dr. Utkarsh K. Mishra.
Panel Discussions Explore Trade Equity and Climate Justice
Experts Examine Policy, ESG, and Global Governance Challenges
The symposium featured engaging panel discussions that explored the intersection of trade equity, ESG frameworks, and climate responsibility. The first panel brought together Mr. Seetharaman Sampath, Co-Founder and Advocate, Sarvada Legal; Ms. Prachi Priya, Vice President and Head, Policy Advocacy and Economics, Hindalco Industries Limited, Aditya Birla Group; Mr. Bose Varghese, former Senior Director, ESG, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas; and Dr. Gargi Chakrabarti, Dean (Academics) and Associate Professor of Law, DNLU.
On the second day, a specialized panel delved deeper into carbon governance and climate justice issues, featuring Prof. (Dr.) James J. Nedumpara, Dr. Shalini Dhyani, Dr. Atul Kaushik, Dr. Rosmy Joan, Dr. Ankit Awasthi, and Ms. Sunanda Tewari. Their discussions reflected the growing urgency of aligning international trade systems with climate commitments and sustainability goals.
Technical Sessions Strengthen Academic Discourse
The academic rigor of the symposium was evident through four intensive technical sessions, each chaired by leading scholars and practitioners. These sessions enabled participants to present and debate research on carbon governance frameworks, trade competitiveness, and the legal dimensions of climate action.
The sessions were chaired by Mr. Bose Varghese and Dr. Ankit Awasthi; Mr. Seetharaman Sampath and Dr. Gargi Chakrabarti; Prof. (Dr.) Shailesh N. Hadli and Dr. Rosmy Joan; and Dr. Shruti Nandwana and Ms. Sunanda Tewari.
A Milestone Event for DNLU Jabalpur
The International Symposium on Carbon Governance and Global Justice stands as a landmark achievement for DNLU Jabalpur, successfully bridging the gap between academic research and real-world trade policy.
By convening global experts and fostering dialogue on sustainable trade practices and climate responsibility, CITIL has reinforced its position as a leading center for research in international trade law and environmental governance.