India emphasised its integrated model for sustainable urban growth at the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi. Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, stated that India regards growing urbanisation as a driver of innovation, resilience, and long-term progress.

Addressing the ministerial dialogue on “Transforming Our Urban Environment: Pathways to Sustainability,” Singh stated that with two-thirds of the world’s population expected to live in cities by 2050, urban planning must strike a balance between expansion and environmental protection. He emphasised that, while cities are energy-intensive, they also provide an opportunity to develop large-scale low-carbon technology, efficient infrastructure, and climate-responsive systems.

Singh, citing the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report, stated that climate-induced migration shapes demographic trends and that well-managed urbanisation can reduce emissions while increasing economic diversity. He described India’s threefold approach to sustainable urban development: establish strong policy frameworks, promote green finance, and improve institutional capacity through training and data-driven platforms.

Singh also listed landmark programs like the Smart Cities Mission, AMRUT, PM-eBus Sewa, and UJALA, emphasising their collaborative efforts to advance clean mobility, energy efficiency, and green infrastructure.