New Delhi, July 4, 2025 — The National Conference on Responsible Business Conduct (NCRBC) 2025, hosted by the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, successfully concluded its second day at the Taj Palace, New Delhi, with an urgent call to move from awareness to the institutionalisation of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles in Indian business practices.
In a resounding Valedictory Address, Shri Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh, Director General & CEO of IICA, stressed that ESG must become the moral and operational nucleus of every business, rather than remain an optional corporate add-on. He invited all stakeholders to unite in building a responsible business ecosystem aligned with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
Day Two Highlights: Dialogues on Climate, Supply Chains, Equity, and Reporting Standards
The second day of NCRBC 2025 was marked by insightful panel discussions, showcasing India’s regulatory foresight, industry readiness, and global alignment with ESG goals. Twelve thematic sessions brought together over 75 experts and hundreds of participants from government, international organisations, businesses, think tanks, and academia.
Decarbonising India: Climate Justice and Low-Carbon Pathways
The day began with a high-level panel on galvanising corporate consensus for decarbonisation, featuring:
- Ms. Leena Nandan, Fmr. Secretary, MoEFCC
- Dr. S.D. Attri, Member, Commission for Air Quality Management
- Dr. Ajay Mathur, Fmr. DG, International Solar Alliance
- Mr. R.R. Rashmi, Distinguished Fellow, TERI
- Senior experts from WRI, WWF India, and Momentum India
This panel strongly advocated for climate action rooted in equity, ecosystem preservation, and sector-specific transition roadmaps.
Sectoral Adaptation and Workforce-Centric ESG
A session on “Advancing Sectoral Adaptation of Responsible Business Practices” featured Ms. Michiko Miyamoto, Director, ILO South Asia, along with:
- Shri Praveen Kumar, Fmr. Secretary, MSDE
- Mr. Vinnie Mehta, DG, ACMA
- Mr. Greg Garrett, ED, Access to Nutrition Initiative
- Mr. Tarun Vij, Fmr. Country Director, GAIN
- Faculty from IICA including Prof. Garima Dadhich
The dialogue focused on tailoring ESG to local supply chains, improving workforce nutrition, and enabling industry transformation through skill development and social equity.
Strengthening BRSR Alignment with Global Reporting Standards
In a pivotal session on aligning Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) with international frameworks, SEBI Whole-Time Member Shri Amarjeet Singh and ACCA CEO Ms. Helen Brand laid the groundwork for India’s ESG sovereignty.
Key participants included:
- Ms. Deeksha Vats, CSO, Aditya Birla Group
- Ms. Rama Patel, Chief Ratings Officer, CRISIL
- Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Singhal, ICAI
- Mr. Narayanan Vaidyanathan, ACCA
Discussions centered on interoperability of disclosures, third-party assurance mechanisms, and mainstreaming BRSR into corporate governance across scales.
Responsible Supply Chains and Equity-Based Models
In a forward-thinking session on “Building Resilient and Sustainable Supply Chains,” participants reimagined global supply networks as equity-driven, community-sensitive ecosystems.
Special address by Mr. Bo Beiskjaer, UNICEF India, and insights from experts at:
- Responsible Business Alliance
- Schneider Electric
- IIM Bangalore
- World Benchmarking Alliance
underscored the need for supply chains that go beyond cost efficiency to include ethical sourcing and worker dignity.
Labour Equity and Decent Work in ESG
The session on “Catalysing Decent Work for Viksit Bharat” witnessed deep engagement on social aspects of ESG with experts such as:
- Ms. Githa Rolens, ILO
- Dr. Bhaskar Chatterjee, Fmr. DG & CEO, IICA
- Ms. Aruna Newton, Global D&I Head, Infosys
- Mr. Hiranmay Pandya, President, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh
- Others from ICAI, IICA, and the International Justice Mission
Themes included labour dignity, formalisation of workforce, safe workplaces, and social governance as core to ESG.
Diplomatic Dialogue: ESG as India’s Global Footprint
The final session — a Diplomatic Dialogue on Resilient and Responsible Economies — was attended by senior Indian and foreign diplomats, including:
- Shri Mahaveer Singhvi, Ministry of External Affairs
- Mr. Bala Bhaskar, Fmr. Ambassador to Norway
- H.E. Mr. Mohamed Maliki, Ambassador of Morocco
- Mr. Mathias Emil Bengtsson, Embassy of Denmark
The session examined how ESG intersects with trade diplomacy, sustainable finance, and climate cooperation, projecting India’s potential as a global leader in responsible business.
Acknowledging the Pillars of Success
Prof. Garima Dadhich, Head, School of Business Environment, IICA, extended warm thanks to:
- Shri Harsh Malhotra, Minister of State, MCA
- Shri Sanjeev Sanyal, Member, PM-EAC
- Ms. Deepti Gaur Mukerjee, Secretary, MCA
- Ms. Cynthia McCaffrey, UNICEF Representative to India
- CA. Charanjot Singh Nanda, President, ICAI
- Conference Partners: UNICEF India, ICAI, ACCA, NSE, GAIN, ILO, RBA, and others
She praised the efforts of the School of Business Environment, IICA team, and emphasised the need to empower MSMEs through actionable ESG frameworks.
Conclusion: Responsible Business as Strategic Compass
Over its two-day span, NCRBC 2025 created a coherent national narrative for responsible business conduct. The overwhelming consensus across panels was that ESG is not merely a compliance agenda but a moral compass and strategic imperative in building Viksit Bharat @2047.
The conference has now positioned itself as a defining national forum for ESG dialogue, policy innovation, and cross-sectoral collaboration — uniting the public, private, and development sectors under the shared goal of building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economies.
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