HNLU concludes International Certificate Programme on Sustainable Trade and Environmental Governance

The Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur (HNLU) recently conducted a week-long certificate program on Sustainable Trade and Environmental Governance, from May 5 -15, 2025.

The programme was conducted through HNLU's Centre for WTO & WIPO Studies, School of Law and Technology, in collaboration with the Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL), Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) under the WTO Chairs Programme, and Economic Laws Practice (ELP).

The week long programme was conducted from May 5 to May 15th and drew participants from countries such as the United States of America and Belgium. The participants included academicians, professionals, research scholars and students.

The program's inaugural ceremony was presided over by distinguished guests Head, CTIL, Prof (Dr) James Nedumpara, and Senior Partner and Head, International Trade and Customs Practice, ELP, Sanjay Notani.

The inaugural address was delivered by President, Consortium of NLUs, Vice-Chancellor, HNLU, Prof (Dr) VC Vivekanandan, setting the intellectual tone for the week's discussions.

Over the week, hour-long sessions were held with participants on themes ranging from the very foundations of sustainable trade to more nuanced areas such as the blue economy and sustainable consumption methods.

These sessions were delivered by distinguished scholars in the field of International Trade and Economic Law, including International Trade Policy and WTO Expert, Prof Abhijit Das; Principal Advisor, International Trade Policy Division, Confederation of Indian Industry, Sumanta Chaudhuri; Founder, Global Trade Research Initiative, New Delhi, Ajay Srivastav; Independent Consultant on fisheries' subsidies and international trade issues, Prof Mukesh Bhatnagar; International Trade and Investment Lawyer, Delhi, Stuti Toshi; and Fellow, Institute of International Economic Law, US, Manya Gupta.

The event also featured insightful contributions from Managing Director, PW & Co. LLP, Anurag Sehgal, and Founder Partner, DGS Associates, Delhi, Ameeta Verma Duggal who shared their practical experiences on the program’s theme.

They lauded HNLU’s collaborative efforts in creating a platform to explore the complexities of international trade and environmental governance.

During the valedictory ceremony conducted on May 15, Prof (Dr) V C Vivekanandan reiterated the critical role of interdisciplinary, intergenerational, and international dialogue in shaping the future of trade, law, policy, and governance. He emphasized that “trade is no longer just an engine of growth, but it is a vehicle for transformation.”

The Valedictory Ceremony concluded on May 15, with words of gratitude from Dr Ankit Awasthi, Head of the Centre of WTO & WIPO Studies, SLT at HNLU, Raipur.

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