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Secretary, Ministry of Power, Government of India with Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO of Hydrogen
Europe focused on the role of green hydrogen as a crucial component in global decarbonization efforts.
The discussion highlighted that the European Union (EU) is focused on reforming its Emission Trading
System (ETS) to help price carbon effectively, to encourage the scaling up of hydrogen as a competitor to
fossil fuels.

Following this, Pankaj Jain, Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India spoke
to Dr. Patrick Hartley, Leader of the CSIRO Hydrogen Industry Mission who shared that collaboration, both
domestically and internationally, is essential, particularly with countries like India, to drive industry scale-
up, technology advancement, and workforce development. Regulatory frameworks, storage solutions,
and large-scale renewable energy access remain critical challenges for the hydrogen sector.

The Netherlands session chaired by Dr. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and
Technology, Government of India provided an in-depth overview of the Netherlands' comprehensive
strategy for advancing global hydrogen advancements. The session was attended by Han Feenstra,
Coordinator of the Hydrogen International Programme and Senior Policy Advisor at the Ministry of
Economic Affairs and Climate Policy; Mark-Simon Benjamins, Business Manager at Havenbedrijf
Rotterdam N.V; and HE Ms. Marisa Gerards, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to India,
Nepal, and Bhutan.

In addition to the plenary sessions, the day featured a range of engaging activities, with the Youth
Session being a highlight. Shri Ajay Yadav, Secretary of MNRE, delivered a welcome address emphasizing
the role of energy in empowering economies and societies. He encouraged the youth to innovate and take
leadership roles in the green hydrogen sector, highlighting their potential to shape India’s energy
future. Professor Ajay K. Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, added special
remarks, noting, “As we look toward the future, the green hydrogen sector stands out as a key driver of
progress, with projections indicating that it will create over four crore jobs by 2050. This remarkable
growth not only highlights the sector's potential to significantly advance environmental sustainability but
also underscores its crucial role in fueling economic development and innovation.”

Proceeding with the session, Ms. Saina Nehwal, Indian badminton player and Olympic Medallist & World
Champion, captured the essence of the conversation by delivering an inspiring address stating "In our
pursuit of a sustainable future, it's essential to think about the world we are leaving behind for the
generations to come. The impact of climate change is a pressing reality, and as athletes and leaders, we
have a responsibility to inspire positive change. Just as our sport has grown and thrived, so too can our
commitment to a healthier environment.”

As part of the youth session, a panel of leaders, including Ms. Shriya Rai, Mr. Sailesh Singhal, Mr. Abhiir
Bhalla, Ms. Viveka Jani, Mr. Ashley Wilkinson, and Ms. Sneha Shahi, moderated by Ms. Priyanka
Sahasrabudhe, highlighted the crucial role of youth in climate action and sustainability. They discussed
the significance of green hydrogen, decarbonization, and renewable energy, aligning with India’s goal to
become the third-largest producer of renewable energy by 2030.

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