In October, Dr. VibhaDhawan, the Director General of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), held discussions with heads of government from Japan and Guyana, as well as the Indian Ambassador to the United States.
Dr. Dhawan participated in the Hydrogen Gigaton International Workshop in Tokyo and attended the 5th RD20 (Research and Development 20) International Conference in Koriyama, Japan, from October 2-6, 2023. These events provided valuable insights into recent advancements and commercialization opportunities in hydrogen energy, particularly in the context of clean energy discussions among G20 nations. During her visit, she also met with Japan’s Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida.
“The RD20 conference served as an excellent platform for knowledge exchange among global thought leaders and opened up significant partnership opportunities. These developments present immense potential for TERI across various sectors, provided we leverage the expertise and reputation of these globally recognized institutions,” Dr. Dhawan remarked.
As per the press release, the meetings featured a distinguished gathering of leaders from corporate sectors, government ministries, climate science experts, clean energy technologists, and other esteemed professionals. “It was a great honor to engage with these world-renowned experts,” Dr. Dhawan added.
Recognition for TERI in Guyana
Following her engagements in Japan, Dr. Dhawan traveled to Guyana to attend the Agri-Investment Forum and Expo 2023 on October 20, where she met with key government officials. During the forum, she had comprehensive discussions with Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali; Vice President, Dr. BharratJagdeo; Prime Minister, Mark Phillips; and Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh. “The High Commission in Guyana has expressed appreciation for TERI’s contributions to the region, and the government has shown interest in establishing a TERI Caribbean Center,” she noted.
Support from the Indian Ambassador to the U.S.
On October 23, Dr. Dhawan met with Indian Ambassador to the U.S., Taranjit Singh Sandhu, in Washington, D.C. The Ambassador expressed enthusiasm about the potential establishment of a TERI North America center. “It was encouraging to learn that TERI is recognized as a reputable think tank, and the Ambassador is keen to offer support,” Dr. Dhawan stated. He highlighted the growing interest from various U.S. organizations in expanding their operations into South Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean.
During her visit, Dr. Dhawan also met with representatives from several organizations, discussing TERI’s initiatives. “I connected with Mr. Manish Bapna and Mr. Sameer Kwatra from the NRDC, Mr. VenkataRamana Putti, Mr. SudharshanCanagarajah, Ms. ChirineAlameddine, and Mr. StephaneHallegatte from the World Bank, as well as Ms. Sonia Sarkar from UNICEF and Mr. AshvinDayal from the Rockefeller Foundation,” she shared. “I’m pleased to report that they expressed keen interest in collaborating with TERI, and I believe it’s vital for us to engage with them regarding our ongoing initiatives.”
