The World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) is the annual flagship event of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). It has in its journey of eighteen years become a focal point for global leaders and practitioners to congregate on a single platform to discuss and deliberate over climatic issues of universal importance.

This month, our cover story titled, ‘Towards 2030 Goals: Making the Decade Count’ echoes the theme of this year’s Summit. The year 2020 is an essential milestone to the 10-year mark till 2030 and is an appropriate opportunity to assess the global contributions made, and the subsequent steps ahead. It is also a chance to re-commit to environmental progression through sustainable measures. WSDS now strives to provide long-term solutions for the benefit of the global community by assembling the world's most enlightened leaders and thinkers on a single platform. The role of international cooperation is the most significant factor that would determine the road to Agenda 2030. We hope that with concerted efforts, improved financing mechanisms, and uninterrupted access to knowledge, the goals can be achieved by 2030.  The global community came together to adopt the SDGs in 2015 and the same community has to work together to accomplish the commitment it has made to the world by 2030. The solution lies in joining hands to achieve the goals. Our cover story discusses the three critical aspects: science, technology and innovation in ensuring sustainable development, role of partnerships and the significance of international cooperation for achieving Agenda 2030. The article elucidates some of the major concerns, challenges and opportunities in these three areas that would be critical to push the faster implementation of the SDGs.

The WSDS has over the years emphasized on establishing synergies for the convergence in the fundamental principles of country-level planning frameworks, especially to address environmental problems, including long-term and regional insights. In 2020, the WSDS plans to carry forward the discourse on sustainability with a strong focus on the global future and strategic planning for sustainable development that impact not only the developing countries but also globally.

The World Wetlands Day on February 2 is a very significant environmental day which raises global awareness about the vital role wetlands play for people and our planet. This day also marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran. India has many sites designated as wetlands. It has been reported that they are one of the most threatened ecosystems in the country.  The feature article of this month is on the East Kolkata Wetlands which is a complex mix of natural and human-made wetlands lying east of the city of Kolkata. The article discusses the pressing need to have laws, policies, and remedies in place to combat the alarming effects of urbanization and land-use patterns towards the conservation of East Kolkata Wetlands.

Such efforts are imperative and absolutely necessary if we want to conserve the various ecosystems and make planet earth habitable not only for humans but also for all the other living beings.