CUTTACK, Jan 17, 2026 – The National Law University Odisha (NLUO) successfully concluded its two-day International Conference on the “Role of International Trade in Global Energy Transition” today at its Cuttack campus. The high-profile event, organized by the NLUO Centre for International Trade Law (CITL), was held in prestigious collaboration with the WTO Chairs Programme and the Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL) under the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India.
The conference served as a premier global forum, bringing together a distinguished assembly of trade scholars, policymakers, and legal practitioners to deliberate on the intersection of commerce and climate action.
The proceedings commenced on January 16 with a formal welcome by Dr. Priyanka Anand, Co-Director of CITL, followed by the ceremonial lighting of the lamp. In her welcoming address, Professor Ved Kumari, Vice-Chancellor of NLUO, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to fostering high-level dialogue on issues of profound global significance, emphasizing the critical role of legal frameworks in navigating sustainable global shifts.
The inaugural day featured insights from some of the world’s foremost authorities in trade law. Professor Werner Zdouc, Former Director of the WTO Appellate Body Secretariat, delivered a special address on the rapidly evolving landscape of global trade. Ms. Alice Tipping, Director of Trade and Sustainable Development at the International Institute of Sustainable Development (IISD), Canada, provided critical perspectives on “soft-law” pathways essential for a just energy transition.
The expertise of Professor James Nedumpara, Head of the WTO Chair Program (CTIL), and Professor James Harrison of the University of Warwick further enriched the sessions. Discussions delved into the intricacies of Green Industrial Policy, specifically the “thin line” between supportive climate action and economic protectionism.
Parallel technical sessions covered a diverse array of modern challenges, including:
-
The “Genome to Global Market” framework.
-
The paradox of “greenwashing” in international commerce.
-
Technology licensing for cross-border renewable energy investments.
-
Regulatory practices in the Global South and mineral dependencies in the renewable sector.
The conference was organized under the leadership of Professor (Dr.) Sheela Rai, Director of the Centre for International Trade Law. Her efforts in securing strategic partnerships with the WTO Chairs Programme and CTIL have positioned NLUO as a premier hub for trade law discourse, bridging the gap between international trade norms and environmental sustainability.
The second day shifted focus toward India’s specific journey, centering on building clean energy systems within the framework of global trade rules. Distinguished participants, including Ambassador Ujal Singh Bhatia, Professor Nandan Nawn, and Professor Kaushik Deb, led the discussions.
Key topics on the final day included:
-
Indian carbon emission regulations.
-
The role of MSMEs in the energy transition.
-
The impact of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on India’s global competitiveness.
As the conference drew to a close, organizers expressed confidence that the two days of rigorous intellectual exchange would yield significant policy recommendations. The insights gathered are expected to influence future global trade governance and provide a roadmap for legal frameworks that support a sustainable and equitable energy transition worldwide.
