Latest
The Sustainable Development Goals in India
India is critical in determining the success of the SDGs, globally. At the UN Sustainable Development Summit in 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted, “Sustainable development of one-sixth of humanity will be of great consequence to the world and our beautiful planet. It will be a world of fewer challenges and greater hope; and, more confident of its success”. NITI Aayog, the Government of India’s premier think tank, has been entrusted with the task of coordinating the SDGs, mapping schemes related to the SDGs and their targets, and identifying lead and supporting ministries for each target. In addition, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has been leading discussions for developing national indicators for the SDGs. State governments are key to India’s progress on the SDGs as they are best placed to ‘put people first’ and to ensuring that ‘no one is left behind’. The UN Country Team in India supports NITI Aayog, Union ministries and state governments in their efforts to address the interconnectedness of the goals, to ensure that no one is left behind and to advocate for adequate financing to achieve the SDGs.
Story
02 October 2026
Winners: Show Us Your India: Biodiversity Photography Contest
The five photographs above are the selected entries from the first Show Us Your India photography contest, held on the theme of biodiversity. The winning images have also been showcased across our social media platforms, including X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. The month-long contest, led by the UN Information Centre New Delhi, invited photographers from India and around the world to capture the variety of life found in India. More than 600 entries were received. Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth, from animals and plants to the ecosystems they are part of. It supports the food, water and natural resources that people depend on. Protecting biodiversity is central to Sustainable Development Goals 14 and 15, Life Below Water and Life on Land. In October 2026, countries will meet in Yerevan, Armenia, for CBD COP17, the 17th meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity. It will be held in conjunction with the twelfth meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CP-MOP-12) and the sixth meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing (NP-MOP-6). COP 17 will mark the first global review of collective progress towards the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). Thank you to everyone who took part and shared a photograph with us.>>
1 of 5
Story
26 September 2026
In Abyei, Indian peacekeepers strengthen presence as calm returns
Indian peacekeepers are among the United Nations personnel helping restore calm in Abyei, where deadly violence at a busy market earlier this month left 40 people reportedly dead and more than 100 injured.The violence took place on 15 September at Amiet Common Market, a vital commercial hub and source of livelihoods for predominantly Misseriya and Ngok Dinka communities.The security situation at the market is now relatively calm, but remains fragile. The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei, UNISFA, has increased its troop deployment and reinforced patrols in and around the market as part of efforts to de-escalate tensions, prevent further violence and protect civilians.Indian personnel are deployed in Sector Center, where many people were displaced, according to information provided by UNISFA. Alongside the increased security presence, UNISFA has intensified engagement with traditional leaders from the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya communities.During the week, the mission held discussions with leaders from both communities focused on rebuilding trust, preventing renewed hostilities and promoting peaceful coexistence.UNISFA has welcomed efforts by local communities to deter further violence and restore calm, while urging all communities to exercise maximum restraint.“While we are encouraged by the return to calm at Amiet market, the number of casualties highlights the significant impact of the violence,” said Lieutenant General Ganesh Kumar Shreshta, Acting Head of Mission and Force Commander.“We remind the communities that differences can only be resolved through dialogue,” he said.The Force Commander said UNISFA would continue to prioritise the protection of civilians and engagement with key stakeholders to prevent retaliation and create favourable conditions for the safe return of normal life and trade at the market.As the situation remains fragile, UNISFA will continue its efforts to support calm, protect civilians and engage with communities to prevent further escalation.The mission reiterated its commitment to implementing its mandate and protecting civilians in Abyei.As of June 2026, India was contributing 4,254 uniformed personnel to United Nations peacekeeping operations, according to UN figures.***
1 of 5
Story
25 September 2026
Right to development: A blueprint for unmet promises
Ahead of the 40th anniversary of the groundbreaking Declaration on the Right to Development this December, world leaders gathered at a High-Level Week meeting on Wednesday to map progress made and the 21st century challenges still ahead – from narrowing the digital divide to levelling the AI playing field – as the UN chief presented a “blueprint” to address promises that remain unfulfilled. What you need to know:The declaration broke new ground in the universal struggle for greater human dignity, freedom, equality and justice when the UN General Assembly adopted it in 1986The declaration can help provide guardrails on issues from AI to internet access, as well as accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development A legally binding treaty on the right to development has been in the works since 2018 What is the declaration?Adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1986, it makes access to development an inalienable right.While a legally binding treaty has been in the works since 2018, the declaration states that everyone is “entitled to participate in, contribute to and enjoy economic, social, cultural and political development, in which all human rights and fundamental freedoms can be fully realised”. The declaration unequivocally puts people at the centre of the development process. Read the full declaration here.‘A call to action’UN Secretary-General António Guterres told world leaders the declaration’s anniversary is more than a moment of reflection, “It is a call to action.”For millions around the world, promises made in the declaration remain unfulfilled, “yet we know how to make it real,” he said, pointing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that “provide the blueprint to leave no one behind”.Under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the 17 SDGs contain goals and targets that are lifting people out of poverty and protecting their rights.Progress since the declaration’s adoption has been driven by the foresight, dedication and resilience of countries, communities and activists of all ages, he said.Extreme poverty has fallen dramatically, nearly half the world is now covered by some form of social protection, people are living longer and scientific and technological advances have transformed lives and livelihoods and expanded opportunity, he noted. New tests awaitBut today, the promise of development faces new tests, Mr. Guterres said, from widening inequalities and persistent food insecurity to rising debt, conflicts and economic instability that are impeding development and economic growth.In addition, the climate crisis is reaching devastating new levels each year, reminding the world that there can be no development on a degraded and unhealthy planet.While the digital revolution and artificial intelligence hold enormous potential to improve lives, these frontline technologies can also be drivers of exclusion and division.“The declaration unequivocally establishes development as a right and puts people at the centre of the development process,” he said.“Development, human rights and peace are not separate ambitions. They advance together. In today’s divided world, this vision can still unite us, and the Sustainable Development Goals are the roadmap to get us there.”What does people-centred development look like?UN agencies have long integrated human rights into projects around the world.The right to development extends to people enduring humanitarian crises and beyond – from war zones to disaster recovery.Here’s what putting people first means:Colombia: Indigenous Peoples’ groups have participated in the South American country’s peace accordsGaza: Women engineers are turning e-waste into opportunityNepal: Lethal floods in August wiped out communities that are now recovering and rebuilding better, with support from UN agencies Morocco: Vocational-training programmes are helping women launch income-generating activities in MoroccoSouth Sudan: UN peacekeepers built a reservoir to accommodate communities that had been fighting over scarce water resourcesVenezuela: UN agencies partnered to respond to deadly twin earthquakes in JuneThis article was first published here
1 of 5
Story
25 September 2026
Guterres: ‘Cracks have become canyons’ as world faces four tests of power
Humanity faces four defining “tests of power” – around war or peace, inequality, climate change and AI – that will determine whether the world moves towards a new era of cooperation or deeper division, the UN chief warned the General Assembly on Tuesday.Key pointsUN chief urges binding international cooperation on AI governance, warning that life-and-death decisions must never be handed to machinesCalls for Security Council reform, highlighting the continued “indefensible” absence of permanent African representationFor the first time in its history, UN has achieved full gender parity across senior leadership and staff With roughly 100 days remaining in his term as UN Secretary-General, António Guterres delivered a wide-ranging speech that framed the world’s most pressing crises not as isolated problems, but as different expressions of the same underlying struggle over how power is exercised and by whom.“The greatest power is not the power to dominate. It is the power to build a future that works for everyone,” he said, presenting his annual report of the Organization.Describing a decade of eroding international norms – from civilians targeted in war, and humanitarian workers killed, to international law “cast aside” and fraying trust between nations – he said power itself is being fundamentally reshaped in three ways:Emergence of new State powersSignificant transfer of authority from governments to private corporations and individualsGrowing role of AI and autonomous weapons in decisions once reserved for humans“The faultlines in our world are widening,” he said. “Cracks have become canyons.”Rather than accepting fragmentation as inevitable, he called for galvanizing cooperation and a truly global network built on interdependence and shared rules while warning against sliding into rival blocs with separate economic and security systems, a scenario he has termed in recent years the Great Fracture.No real ceasefire in sightPointing to cascading crises across the Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan and Myanmar, Mr. Guterres argued that so-called ceasefires have often amounted to little more than “lesser fires”, with civilians continuing to pay the price.He renewed calls for compliance with International Court of Justice (ICJ) orders regarding Gaza and warned that settlement expansion in the Israeli-occupied West Bank threatens to extinguish the two-State solution.He also condemned Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine as a clear violation of the UN Charter.Renewing longstanding calls for Security Council reform, he singled out the continued absence of permanent African representation as “unjust and indefensible” given the 15-member organ’s founding in a starkly different geopolitical era.‘Equality is not a dream; it is a decision’Highlighting the gap between record global wealth and the billions still lacking access to food, clean water, education and healthcare, he said inequality is not merely an economic issue but a question of power over opportunity, resources and self-determination.He reiterated his long-held view that the international financial system leaves developing nations crushed by debt while facing climate disasters they did little to cause. In this vein, he called for faster debt relief, bolder multilateral development banks and fairer access to Special Drawing Rights created by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).Devoting particular attention to gender inequality, he announced that the UN has achieved full gender parity across senior leadership, headquarters staff, and professional roles for the first time in its history.“Equality is not a dream; it is a decision,” he said, citing progress at the UN as proof that entrenched power structures can change.Twin challenges: Climate and AIOn climate change, Mr. Guterres said the crisis is the “most profound intergenerational power imbalance”, warning of a near-certain breach of the 1.5°C threshold.Calling for polluters to “pay” and for developed nations to triple adaptation funding, he pointed out that major oil companies are reaping substantial profits since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine while global adaptation finance for developing countries remains a fraction of that sum.Turning to AI, the Secretary-General warned that power is increasingly concentrated in data, computing capacity and algorithms, advancing faster than humanity’s capacity to govern it.“The danger is not technology,” he said. “The danger is technology without accountability.”Outlaw killer robotsGuard rails on AI must be built, the UN chief said, adding that children must never become the test-subjects for unregulated systems.“Life-and-death decisions must never be surrendered to machines,” he warned. “Killer robots must have no place in our future.”To address this, he called for a multilateral AI risk management framework with independent oversight, stating firmly that children must never become test subjects for unregulated systems and that life-and-death decisions must never be surrendered to machines.Stronger, not weakerMr. Guterres reaffirmed that peace, development and human rights are inseparable pillars of the UN Charter, rejecting any notion that dignity and rights can be divorced from security and opportunity.In the face of global catastrophe more than 80 years ago on the battlefields of World War Two, the United Nations was created as an act of defiance of hope, of people who refuse to surrender the future to fear and of countries that know their futures are bound together.Pledging to carry the “spirit of resolve” through his remaining time in office, he vowed to continue championing the UN Charter’s values, even after leaving his post as Secretary-General.“The world does not need a weaker United Nations,” he said. “It needs a UN strong enough to face the world as it is and determined enough to build the world as it should be.”This story was first published here
1 of 5
Story
22 September 2026
2197, Not 2030: The Long Road to Gender Equality
With a 13% reduction in funding for gender equality and a 28% reduction in funding for women’s rights organizations between 2023 and 2024, the goal of achieving gender equality by 2030 is slipping out of reach. At the current rate of progress, gender equality is projected to be achieved only by 2197, more than 160 years after the UN’s 2030 deadline. This stark realization has been brought forward by the Gender Snapshot 2026 report, released by UN Women and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA).The findings of the Gender Snapshot 2026 report reveal a political retreat from gender equality that is crosscutting, measurable, and compounding. From 2020 to 2026, women’s share of seats in parliaments has declined in 54 countries, while one in three institutional mechanisms for gender equality has had its institutional power eroded over the past two years. Of these mechanisms, around one in four have seen their operating budgets cut over the same period, and nearly one in ten have lost control of their budget altogether. Funding for gender equality has fallen to its lowest level since 2021, with funding for women’s rights organizations most impacted. Meanwhile, amid funding cuts, 42 per cent of UN entities report a weakening of their gender equality efforts.The concentration of political power remains stark: six in seven countries are led by men. Women continue to face systemic barriers at every stage. The cost of running for office can exceed 100 times a country’s average per-capita income, excluding many women before the race even begins. In some countries, as many as eight in 10 women running for office face violence in public life. During electoral campaigns, 8 in 10 women candidates for parliament and 6 in 10 candidates for local government experience psychological, sexual, economic and/or physical violence. And when women do reach cabinet, they are still disproportionately steered away from the portfolios that command the highest security and economic power. Close to nine in 10 defense ministers and more than eight in 10 finance ministers are men.The road to justice and safety is even longer. Women comprise only 29.0 per cent of prosecutors in cases of gender-based violence and discrimination and are underrepresented in public service positions relative to their share of the national population in 62.1 per cent of countries. Only 31 out of 175 Chief Justices globally are women. Despite their abilities and contributions, women and girls, who neither choose nor lead conflicts, are sidelined from ending them. “The evidence is clear: when women lead, societies are stronger, economies are more resilient and outcomes are better for everyone. Yet as long as power remains concentrated in institutions that systematically exclude women, societies will continue to fall short of their full potential. Equality cannot be achieved without equal access to power—because equality without power is not equality at all,” said UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous. "The data leave no room for ambiguity: at current rates gender equality remains 171 years away. What the Gender Snapshot 2026 shows is that this is not inevitable — it is the result of choices, made visible through data. Investing in gender equality, institutions, and the statistical systems that hold them to account is not a cost. It is the fastest route back to the 2030 Agenda's promise of equal power for all," said Li Junhua, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs.The pattern extends beyond government. Women hold only six per cent of corporate Chief Executive Officer positions globally, occupy just 11.6 per cent of managerial positions in Central and Southern Asia and lead fewer than 20 per cent of the highest courts, leaving the decisions shaping business, law, employment, and the global economy overwhelmingly in the hands of men.The findings of the report come at a consequential moment for the multilateral system. World leaders are gathering for the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA81) as the United Nations moves towards selecting its tenth Secretary-General – a position that no woman has held in the UN’s 80-year history. As governments debate the future of multilateralism, the report argues that no vision for the future of the world is credible without women and girls having an equal share of power in shaping it.As 2030 draws nearer, not a single SDG 5 indicator is currently on track yet. UN Women and UN DESA are calling for a reversal of the political retreat on gender equality - and for power to be shared more equally. This can be ensured by giving women an equal voice in political and economic decisions, properly funding gender equality institutions, protecting women’s rights organizations and civic space, and ensuring women have equal power to shape the decisions that affect economies, peace and security, technology and public life.Read more here Written by UNIC Intern Aishvarya Thakur***
1 of 5
Press Release
16 October 2026
World Food Day 2026
Food is a basic human right. Yet around 645 million people faced hunger last year. And nearly 2.7 billion people cannot afford a healthy diet. Overlapping shocks and crises are adding to these pressures. Disrupting production and supply chains. Driving up the cost of food and fertilizer. And putting nutritious diets further out of reach for millions. We have the knowledge, technology and capacity to feed the world. It’s time to use it. This year’s theme for World Food Day is “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.” By harnessing data, innovation, and technology, including artificial intelligence, to ensure everyone can access nutritious food. By bringing together scientists, researchers, innovators, farmers, Indigenous Peoples and youth to find solutions. By mobilizing finance to make nutritious food more available and affordable, especially for developing countries. By supporting the ecosystems and people that make food possible — in keeping with this International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, and of the Woman Farmer. And by building global and local food systems that are more productive and resilient. Together, let us ensure that every person, everywhere, has access to safe, nutritious and affordable food. ***
1 of 5
Press Release
14 October 2026
R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge 2026 selects Margn as Winner and Yoshita 1967 as Runner Up
New Delhi, 14 October 2026: R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge, an initiative of Reliance Industries Limited, in partnership with the United Nations in India and Lakmē Fashion Week, celebrated its grand finale yesterday with a landmark showcase at the Embassy of France in India. The event brought together emerging designers, industry leaders, fashion experts and global stakeholders to celebrate the next generation of circular fashion talent. Held under the India–France Year of Innovation 2026, the finale marked the culmination of the initiative’s eighth season, which continues to champion circular innovation, material exploration and cross-cultural creative exchange. Following a competitive selection process that began with over 220 applications globally, the 2026 edition brought together emerging designers from India and international markets, with finalists progressing through regional jury rounds, mentorship and industry engagements before presenting their collections to the Grand Jury in New Delhi. At the finale, Margn by Saurabh Maurya was named the Winner of the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge 2026, while Yoshita 1967 by Anil Padia was recognised as Runner-Up. The results celebrated two distinct approaches to circular fashion, highlighting the role of craftsmanship, material innovation and responsible design in shaping a more conscious future for the industry. Margn, founded by Saurabh Maurya, presented an approach to contemporary fashion that brings together craftsmanship, material innovation and circularity. Through considered material choices and thoughtful construction, the collection explored the potential of circular design to inform modern aesthetics while encouraging more responsible approaches to fashion creation. Yoshita 1967, founded by Anil Padia, presented a collection rooted in cultural heritage, artisanal craftsmanship and contemporary design. Drawing on the designer’s cross-cultural perspective, the collection brought together traditional techniques and a modern design sensibility, highlighting the role of craftsmanship and material consciousness in shaping a more responsible fashion ecosystem. Together, the Winner and Runner-Up recognised the potential of emerging designers to advance circularity while preserving craftsmanship and exploring new possibilities for a more sustainable fashion industry.The finale was evaluated by a distinguished jury comprising Stefan Priesner, UN Resident Coordinator in India ; Serge Carreira, Head of Emerging Brands Initiative at the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode; Rochelle Pinto, Head of Editorial Content at Vogue India; Rajesh Pratap Singh, Founder and Creative Director of Pratap and Anaita Shroff Adajania, Fashion and Costume Stylist and Creative Director. Bringing together perspectives spanning fashion, luxury, media, design and sustainable development, the jury assessed the finalists on their creative vision, innovation, application of circular principles, material exploration, scalability, social impact, alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and potential to contribute meaningfully to the future of fashion.The 2026 edition marks an important milestone in the evolution of the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge, strengthening its role as a platform connecting emerging talent with global fashion ecosystems. Through its collaboration with the Embassy of France in India, , Institut Francais, the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM), the United Nations in India and Lakmē Fashion Week, the initiative has created new avenues for international exchange, mentorship and industry access. The finale showcased at the Embassy of France further underscored the shared vision between India and France around creativity, innovation and responsible growth. Taking place during the India France Year of Innovation 2026, the event brought together two influential fashion and design ecosystems to spotlight how circularity can become a catalyst for new creative possibilities. Saurabh Maurya, Founder of Margn and Winner of the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge 2026, said, “Winning the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge is a meaningful milestone for us at Margn. It reinforces our belief that thoughtful design, material innovation and craftsmanship can play a significant role in shaping a more responsible fashion industry. This platform has provided an opportunity to explore how circular principles can be integrated into contemporary design while creating pieces that are relevant, considered and forward-looking. We are grateful for the recognition and hope to continue pushing the boundaries of what conscious fashion can achieve.” Anil Padia, Founder of Yoshita 1967 and Runner-Up of the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge 2026, said, “Being recognised as Runner-Up at the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge is an honour and an encouraging step for Yoshita 1967. Our work is deeply rooted in cultural heritage, artisanal craftsmanship and the belief that fashion can create meaningful connections between people, materials and communities. This experience has reinforced the importance of preserving traditional techniques while exploring new approaches to circularity and responsible design. We are grateful to be part of a platform that brings these conversations to the forefront and encourages designers to imagine a more conscious future for fashion.” Mr Hemant D Sharma, President, Polyester Business, Reliance Industries Limited, said, “At Reliance Industries, we believe sustainable growth and innovation go hand in hand. Over eight seasons, the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge has evolved into a global platform championing circularity through design and material innovation. This year, our partnerships with the Embassy of France, the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, the United Nations in India and Lakmē Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI, during the India–France Year of Innovation, further strengthen this vision. We congratulate Margn, the Winner, and Yoshita 1967, the Runner-Up, for demonstrating how creative thinking can contribute to a more responsible future for fashion.”Mr Stefan Priesner, UN Resident Coordinator in India, said, “India’s textile and fashion sector holds significant potential to advance the global transition towards circularity. Promoting the circular economy in textiles is an important part of the support that the UN India brings to the leadership of the Ministry of Textiles and India’s efforts in decarbonization, circular economy and decent work, together with partners from the industry. We congratulate Margn, the Winner, and Yoshita 1967, the Runner-Up, for their distinctive approaches to conscious fashion. Their recognition highlights the importance of empowering creative talent to explore solutions that support more sustainable production and consumption patterns, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.”Commending the event, H.E. Mr Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India, said, “The R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge reflects the spirit of the India-France Year of Innovation by bringing together French and Indian design perspectives on innovation and sustainability. I heartily congratulate the winners for their exceptional talent through which they have underscored the cultural and creative industries that are vital drivers of innovation and Indo-French bilateral cooperation. The launch of the Kering Generation Award today highlights the importance that France attaches to sustainable fashion and demonstrates the potential of bringing together major industry players and emerging entrepreneurs in the field and promoting professional exchange and collaboration between our two countries.”Jaspreet Chandok, Group Vice President, Reliance Brands Limited, said, “Over eight seasons, the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge has evolved into a platform that champions emerging designers reimagining the future of fashion through circularity and innovation. This year’s edition marks an important milestone, bringing together talent from India and international markets while strengthening connections across design, industry and sustainability. We remain committed to creating opportunities for emerging talent through visibility, mentorship and industry engagement. Margn’s winning approach and Yoshita 1967’s distinctive interpretation of circular design reflect the diverse possibilities within this space. We congratulate both designers and look forward to seeing them build on this recognition to take their work forward.”The Winner of the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge 2026 will receive a cash prize of USD 16,000, along with the opportunity to present an individual showcase at the next season of Lakmē Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI in March 2027 in Mumbai, providing a platform to bring their circular design vision to a wider fashion and industry audience. The Runner Up will receive a cash prize of USD 5,000, along with bespoke mentorship from renowned sustainable fashion advocate Orsola de Castro, offering valuable guidance and industry insights to further develop their creative vision.The 2026 finale serves as a culmination of this year's global journey while marking the beginning of a new chapter for the designers recognised through the programme. By bringing together talent, industry expertise and international partnerships, the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge continues to demonstrate how fashion can be a space for innovation, collaboration and meaningful change.About R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge (RCDC)
Launched in India in 2018, the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge (RCDC) is a globally recognised platform dedicated to discovering, nurturing and accelerating the next generation of entrepreneurs, designers and innovators shaping the future of circular fashion. Developed in partnership with Reliance Industries Limited’s R|Elan™, the United Nations in India and Lakmé Fashion Week, RCDC champions solutions that reduce waste and advance circularity across the fashion and textile industry. Through mentorship, industry access and global exposure, the programme supports emerging talent while fostering innovation, collaboration and systems change. RCDC continues to expand its international footprint across India, Europe, the United Kingdom, Asia Pacific and the wider global fashion ecosystem.
About R|Elan™:
R|Elan™ is the next-gen fabric that has been created from specially engineered fibers and yarns using cutting-edge technological expertise, state-of-the-art R&D, and the robust testing systems of Reliance Industries. These smart fabrics have been designed to enhance comfort and aesthetics and it is being increasingly sought-after fabric by renowned domestic and global brands, retailers, and apparel manufacturers. The technologies that power R|Elan™ fabric imparts several attributes such as moisture management, odor-free, and thermal insulation while ensuring that they contribute something back to Mother Earth.
About United Nations in India
The United Nations system in India includes 26 organizations that serve in India. The UN entities, under the overall leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator, provide strategic support to India to help the country achieve its aspirations to end poverty and inequality and to promote sustainable development, in line with the globally agreed Sustainable Development Goal and India’s ambitious vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. UN India supports the Government and people of India in advancing the country’s ambitious commitments to rapid change and development priorities, including its leadership to enhance resource efficiency across sectors, transition to a circular economy and promotion of sustainable lifestyles.
For more information, visit: http://india.un.org/
About Reliance Industries Limited
Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) is India’s largest private sector company, with a consolidated revenue of INR 11,75,919 crore (US$ 124.0 billion), cash profit of INR 1,71,258 crore (US$ 18.1 billion) and net profit of INR 95,754 crore (US$ 10.1 billion) for the year ended March 31, 2026. Reliance’s activities span hydrocarbon exploration and production, petroleum refining and marketing, petrochemicals, advanced materials and composites, renewables (solar and hydrogen), retail, digital services and media and entertainment. Currently ranked 85th, Reliance is the largest private sector company from India to be featured in Fortune’s Global 500 list of 'World’s Largest Companies' for 2026. The company stands 45th in the Forbes Global 2000 rankings of 'World’s Largest Public Companies' for 2025, the highest among Indian companies. Reliance has been recognized in Time's list of the 100 Most Influential Companies of 2024, marking the only Indian company to have achieved this honor twice. Website: www.ril.com
About the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode
The Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM) gathers the world's most renowned luxury and creative houses, selected for their creativity and unique, innovative expertise and savoir-faire, along with the most talented emerging brands. It organises Paris Fashion Week® and Haute Couture Week, structuring the Official Calendars and its adjacent activities. The FHCM serves a dual mission: as a Professional Organisation, it provides services to its Members and represents them within the professional ecosystem and towards public authorities in France and Europe. As an Event Organisation, it aims to consolidate Paris as the fashion capital of the world. Visit us at www.fhcm.paris and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok.
About The French Institute in India, Embassy of France
The French Institute in India (Institut français en Inde), a section of the Embassy of France in India, is dedicated to fostering meaningful people-to-people ties between France and India. As the cultural, educational, and scientific wing of the French diplomatic mission, IFI drives a wide spectrum of collaborations. These range from promoting academic and scientific partnerships between universities and research institutes, to advancing student mobility and the learning of the French language. IFI also actively connects artists, scholars, NGOs, entrepreneurs, film professionals, publishers, and institutions across sectors.
At the heart of our mission lies a strong commitment to artistic and cultural partnerships, in performance, literature, cinema, fashion, design, and more. IFI regularly convenes forums, festivals, and debates that bring together the brightest minds and creative forces from both nations. For more info: www.institutfrancaisindia.in
Launched in India in 2018, the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge (RCDC) is a globally recognised platform dedicated to discovering, nurturing and accelerating the next generation of entrepreneurs, designers and innovators shaping the future of circular fashion. Developed in partnership with Reliance Industries Limited’s R|Elan™, the United Nations in India and Lakmé Fashion Week, RCDC champions solutions that reduce waste and advance circularity across the fashion and textile industry. Through mentorship, industry access and global exposure, the programme supports emerging talent while fostering innovation, collaboration and systems change. RCDC continues to expand its international footprint across India, Europe, the United Kingdom, Asia Pacific and the wider global fashion ecosystem.
About R|Elan™:
R|Elan™ is the next-gen fabric that has been created from specially engineered fibers and yarns using cutting-edge technological expertise, state-of-the-art R&D, and the robust testing systems of Reliance Industries. These smart fabrics have been designed to enhance comfort and aesthetics and it is being increasingly sought-after fabric by renowned domestic and global brands, retailers, and apparel manufacturers. The technologies that power R|Elan™ fabric imparts several attributes such as moisture management, odor-free, and thermal insulation while ensuring that they contribute something back to Mother Earth.
About United Nations in India
The United Nations system in India includes 26 organizations that serve in India. The UN entities, under the overall leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator, provide strategic support to India to help the country achieve its aspirations to end poverty and inequality and to promote sustainable development, in line with the globally agreed Sustainable Development Goal and India’s ambitious vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. UN India supports the Government and people of India in advancing the country’s ambitious commitments to rapid change and development priorities, including its leadership to enhance resource efficiency across sectors, transition to a circular economy and promotion of sustainable lifestyles.
For more information, visit: http://india.un.org/
About Reliance Industries Limited
Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) is India’s largest private sector company, with a consolidated revenue of INR 11,75,919 crore (US$ 124.0 billion), cash profit of INR 1,71,258 crore (US$ 18.1 billion) and net profit of INR 95,754 crore (US$ 10.1 billion) for the year ended March 31, 2026. Reliance’s activities span hydrocarbon exploration and production, petroleum refining and marketing, petrochemicals, advanced materials and composites, renewables (solar and hydrogen), retail, digital services and media and entertainment. Currently ranked 85th, Reliance is the largest private sector company from India to be featured in Fortune’s Global 500 list of 'World’s Largest Companies' for 2026. The company stands 45th in the Forbes Global 2000 rankings of 'World’s Largest Public Companies' for 2025, the highest among Indian companies. Reliance has been recognized in Time's list of the 100 Most Influential Companies of 2024, marking the only Indian company to have achieved this honor twice. Website: www.ril.com
About the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode
The Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM) gathers the world's most renowned luxury and creative houses, selected for their creativity and unique, innovative expertise and savoir-faire, along with the most talented emerging brands. It organises Paris Fashion Week® and Haute Couture Week, structuring the Official Calendars and its adjacent activities. The FHCM serves a dual mission: as a Professional Organisation, it provides services to its Members and represents them within the professional ecosystem and towards public authorities in France and Europe. As an Event Organisation, it aims to consolidate Paris as the fashion capital of the world. Visit us at www.fhcm.paris and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok.
About The French Institute in India, Embassy of France
The French Institute in India (Institut français en Inde), a section of the Embassy of France in India, is dedicated to fostering meaningful people-to-people ties between France and India. As the cultural, educational, and scientific wing of the French diplomatic mission, IFI drives a wide spectrum of collaborations. These range from promoting academic and scientific partnerships between universities and research institutes, to advancing student mobility and the learning of the French language. IFI also actively connects artists, scholars, NGOs, entrepreneurs, film professionals, publishers, and institutions across sectors.
At the heart of our mission lies a strong commitment to artistic and cultural partnerships, in performance, literature, cinema, fashion, design, and more. IFI regularly convenes forums, festivals, and debates that bring together the brightest minds and creative forces from both nations. For more info: www.institutfrancaisindia.in
1 of 5
Press Release
13 October 2026
International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction
Our homes are where we sleep, care for one another, and build our daily lives. But how they are planned, built, and maintained can determine whether or not they keep us safe.Every year, millions of homes are damaged or destroyed, displacing families and deepening poverty, with some of the heaviest tolls falling on older persons, persons with disabilities, low-income households, and others vulnerable groups.That’s why the theme of this year’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, “Resilience Starts at Home”, is so critical. Safety begins where we live, and preparedness at the household level – understanding the risks, having a plan, and acting swiftly – can mean the difference between life and loss.But households cannot do this alone. Governments must enforce risk-informed building codes and land-use planning. The private sector must invest in resilient construction and affordable insurance. And everyone, everywhere, must have access to effective early-warning systems that reach them in time – the central promise of the Early Warnings for All initiative. We must also reform the international financial architecture to ensure developing countries can access the preparedness resources they need.As climate and disaster risks multiply, building safer dwellings is the shared responsibility of governments, developers, engineers and communities. Together, let us commit to making every home a resilient one, now, and in the future.
1 of 5
Press Release
11 October 2026
International Day of the Girl Child
Every three seconds, child marriage cuts a girl’s childhood short. One in five girls worldwide is married before the age of 18. Child marriage compromises the education, health, and safety of millions of girls across the globe. Fundamentally, it is rooted in poverty. The risk goes up in times of conflict, climate shocks, and displacement, leaving families with fewer options for their daughters. But we know how to halt this harmful practice. Keeping girls in school, improving economic opportunities for families, enhancing social and legal protections, and challenging discriminatory gender norms all help girls reclaim their agency. Over the past 25 years, such solutions have prevented an estimated 68 million child marriages. Yet recent funding cuts threaten progress. At the rate we’re going, it will take centuries to eliminate child marriage. On this International Day of the Girl Child, I call on governments, the private sector, civil society, and community leaders to scale up investment in proven solutions, and ensure they reach every girl, everywhere. It’s time to end child marriage once and for all. Together, let us defend the right of all girls to a childhood, and ensure every daughter, every sister, grows up free to shape her own future.
1 of 5
Press Release
10 October 2026
Wold Mental Health Day
On this year’s World Mental Health Day, we reaffirm the expertise and leadership of people with lived experience of mental health challenges. This year’s theme — “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change” — reflects the fact that people are too often excluded from decisions about their own lives. Yet their insights are essential to shaping effective services and policies. This is particularly true for young people facing economic uncertainty, climate anxiety and online harms, and for people of all ages affected by conflict and humanitarian crises, where disrupted services compound distress. It also matters where care is received. Right now, over 80 per cent of countries provide mental health services in psychiatric hospitals. But people with lived experience frequently wish to recover in their homes and communities. All patients have the right to access housing, education, work and social support in a context where evidence shows they are more likely to heal. I call on governments everywhere to replace exclusion with partnership, and invest in community-centred care. On this day, and every day, let us reaffirm our commitment to mental health, remove stigma and build systems rooted in dignity and rights for all.
1 of 5
Latest Resources
1 / 11
Resources
29 December 2025
1 / 11