New Delhi, Dec 12: The Foundation for MSME Clusters (FMC) is organizing an international conference titled “Just Transition to Net Zero – Role of Bamboo in the SAARC Region” on December 17, 2024, at Deventure Sarovar Portico, Kapas Hera, New Delhi. The event is part of the project “Promoting Integrated Bamboo-Based Enterprise Development among SAARC Countries,” initiated in 2017 with support from the SAARC Development Fund. This initiative spans Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal, with partners including the Women’s Economic Empowerment Rural Development Program (Afghanistan), BRIF (Bangladesh), Tarayana (Bhutan), FMC (India), and ABARI (Nepal). FMC also serves as the technical advisor for the project.
The conference will convene policymakers, industry leaders, financial institutions, and civil society representatives to discuss leveraging bamboo as a sustainable development tool in the SAARC region. Shivraj Singh Chouhan, India’s Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, has been invited as the Chief Guest, with Pasha Patel, Chairman of the State Agricultural Price Commission, Maharashtra, attending as Guest of Honor. Ajay Shankar, Chairman of FMC, will also share his expertise during the sessions.
Highlights include case presentations by SAARC Development Fund project partners from Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh, showcasing achievements and future strategies. The event will feature three panel discussions exploring the roles of industries, financial institutions, and civil society in advancing the bamboo sector. Panelists include representatives from Dalmia Cement, Nayara Energy, Hindalco Industries, NABARD, SIDBI, and HDFC CSR, along with policy experts from the National Bamboo Mission and Forest Research Institute.
This conference offers a platform for CSR leaders, researchers, buyers, and artisans to exchange ideas, showcase sustainable practices, and contribute to a regional strategy for achieving net-zero goals through bamboo-based innovation. Attendees will collaborate on developing a roadmap for sustainable growth in the SAARC region.
For more information, visit [www.fmc.org.in](http://www.fmc.org.in).
