The International Conference On Law, Technology, And Sustainable Development At RPNLU, Prayagraj: 12 Nations, 14 Judges, And Distinguished Delegates

The International Conference on Law, Technology, and Sustainable Development, hosted by Dr. Rajendra Prasad National Law University (RPNLU), Prayagraj, marked a significant milestone in fostering interdisciplinary discussions on the intricate relationship between legal frameworks, technological advancements, and sustainable development. The three-day conference, held from March 7 to March 9, 2025, brought together distinguished judges, legal scholars, policymakers, academicians, and industry experts from twelve countries - USA, Canada, England, France, Estonia, New Zealand, South Korea, South Africa, Nigeria, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka- to deliberate on global challenges and opportunities in legal and technological landscapes. The discussions revolved around themes such as Climate Change, Environmental Jurisprudence, Artificial Intelligence, Data Protection, Access to Justice, and the Role of Indigenous knowledge in sustainability. With a line-up of 14 esteemed Judges, 20+ distinguished academicians and multiple technical sessions, the event facilitated meaningful exchanges and policy recommendations aimed at shaping the future of law and sustainability in an increasingly digital world.

The inaugural session was attended by distinguished dignitaries, including the Chief Guest, Justice Manoj Misra, Judge, Supreme Court of India, who formally inaugurated the conference, and Justice Arun Bhansali, Chief Justice, Allahabad High Court, who presided over the ceremony. Other notable guests included Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta, Senior Judge, Allahabad High Court, and Sr. Prof. (Dr.) Usha Tandon, Vice-Chancellor of the University, alongside international legal luminaries such as Justice S. Thurairaja, Judge, Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, Justice Kumar Regmi, Judge, Supreme Court of Nepal, and Justice Rinzin Penjor, Former Judge, Supreme Court of Bhutan & Present Vice-President, Bar Council of Bhutan. In her welcome address, Vice-Chancellor Sr. Prof. (Dr.) Usha Tandon highlighted the transformative impact of technology on law and governance, asserting that while technological advancements offer solutions to global challenges such as climate change, they also introduce complex ethical and legal dilemmas. She underscored the imperative of legal frameworks evolving in tandem with technological progress and expressed immense pride in the institution's rapid strides in legal academia.

Delivering the keynote address, Justice Manoj Misra emphasized that the true challenge is not the development of technology itself but the formulation of policies that ensure its ethical and sustainable application. He called for global cooperation in sustainable development, stressing that while numerous international treaties exist, compliance remains a formidable challenge. He reaffirmed that sustainable development is not confined to national policies but is a global responsibility requiring collective action. In his presidential address, Justice Arun Bhansali reinforced the instrumental role of law in achieving sustainability, asserting that legal mechanisms must balance economic growth with ecological preservation. He cautioned against the unintended consequences of technological advancements, such as cybersecurity threats, digital exploitation, and data privacy concerns, calling for a nuanced legal approach that safeguards societal interests while promoting innovation. Expanding on the judicial perspective on sustainable development, Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta stressed that proactive legal interpretations and regulatory frameworks are essential for the effective realization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He underscored the judiciary's pivotal role in shaping sustainable policies and ensuring their robust implementation. The international perspectives provided by the distinguished guests enriched the discourse. Justice Rinzin Penjor elaborated on Bhutan's commitment to sustainability through its Gross National Happiness philosophy, which integrates environmental stewardship with human development. Justice S. Thurairaja emphasized the critical role of legal frameworks in preventing technology-driven exploitation, while Justice Kumar Regmi highlighted the need for equitable access to technology to prevent socio-economic disparities. A key highlight of the session was the release of the Conference Souvenir, which encapsulates scholarly contributions on the intersection of law, technology, and sustainability. Furthermore, the winners of the National Moot Court Competition held at Bihar and Madhya Pradesh were honored with prestigious awards, recognizing their exceptional legal reasoning and advocacy skills.

The first technical session of the conference was chaired by, Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra, Judge of the Allahabad High Court. Justice Mishra, in his address, emphasized the critical role of intellectual leadership in navigating contemporary global challenges. He stressed that legal frameworks must evolve to integrate technological advancements while upholding justice, fairness, and equity. The rise of Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain, he noted, raises pressing concerns about data privacy and cybersecurity, necessitating robust legal frameworks to address these issues. Justice Mishra reiterated that sustainable development is not merely aspirational but an urgent necessity, requiring a holistic approach to harmonize economic growth with social well-being.

Prof. Bosselmann's Keynote address, titled The Earth System Approach to International Environmental Law, underscored the moral and legal obligation to protect the Earth's integrity. He emphasized the necessity of a collective and collaborative approach and referenced Mahatma Gandhi's idea of trusteeship, advocating for global responsibility in environmental protection. He pointed out that while over 150 countries, including India, recognize environmental protection as a constitutional obligation, many states fail to uphold their commitments under international environmental agreements like the Paris Accord. Justice Rinzin Penzor reflected on Bhutan's sustainable development journey, emphasizing the role of technology in addressing systemic challenges. He noted Bhutan's efforts to implement e-litigation systems despite infrastructural and cybersecurity challenges. He argued that political leadership and financial commitment are essential for digital justice systems to thrive. Similarly, Prof. Amber Pant discussed Nepal's approach to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting the interplay between social, economic, and environmental factors. He advocated for a more concrete definition of sustainable development and emphasized Nepal's constitutional provisions supporting environmental sustainability.

In his concluding remarks, Justice Mishra advised students to develop a holistic understanding of law by balancing theoretical knowledge with real-world challenges. He encouraged intellectual curiosity and emphasized that the discussions in such academic forums shape the future of legal and environmental discourse. Sustainable development, he reiterated, is a collective responsibility requiring legal mechanisms that promote equity, balance, and intergenerational justice.

The Second Technical Session was chaired by, Justice Vinod Diwaker, Judge of the Allahabad High Court. In his address, Justice Diwaker underscored the significance of the conference theme, Law, Technology, and Sustainable Development, highlighting the legal community's role in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. He elaborated on the potential consequences of environmental degradation, emphasizing that failure to regulate and enforce environmental laws could lead to large-scale displacement of populations worldwide. Stressing the judiciary's pivotal role in climate governance, he remarked that the responsibility for safeguarding future generations rests significantly on the courts. Justice Michael D. Wilson, Former Judge of the Hawaii Supreme Court, delivered his keynote address on Judicial Guardianship of Climate Justice: The Pivotal Role of Courts in Ensuring Environmental Rights with a Focus on Hawaii. He delineated the pressing realities of climate change, particularly its severe impact on Hawaii, where rising sea levels are eroding beaches and exacerbating economic vulnerabilities, triggering widespread 'climate anxiety.' He extended this discussion to India, asserting that climate change is neither a political nor an economic issue but an existential crisis requiring immediate legal intervention. Citing António Guterres, he warned that since 2015, humanity has been on a “highway to climate hell.” Justice Wilson emphasized that environmental protection is a fundamental right and that legal institutions must leverage the Rule of Law to enforce sustainable policies. He critiqued the prevalent governmental stance that sustainability is financially unfeasible, calling such justifications “duplicitous and unresponsive.”

The highlight of the day was the special session delivered by Justice Rajesh Bindal who commended RPNLU for appointing its first female Vice-Chancellor, highlighting a significant step towards gender inclusivity in legal academia. Justice Bindal emphasized the critical intersection of technology and sustainable development, asserting that legal frameworks must enforce responsible resource utilization. Using the analogy of cutting branches instead of felling an entire tree for firewood, he stressed the need for conservation-oriented policies. He elaborated on the three pillars of sustainability—environmental, social, and economic—drawing on international commitments such as the 1997 Earth Summit, Johannesburg Declaration, Rio+20, and the 2030 Agenda. Noting that by 2024, only 15% of sustainability goals were fully on track, he underscored the gaps in global implementation.

Discussing legal advancements, he referenced India's G20 leadership and the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, noting India's role in expanding the G20 to include the Global South. He addressed the judiciary's modernization, citing live-streamed proceedings, e-filing systems, and the management of over 5.20 crore pending cases.

The Third technical session of the International Conference was chaired by Justice Ajay Bhanot of the Allahabad High Court, an eminent jurist with expertise spanning civil, constitutional, service, tax, criminal, company, and environmental law. Justice Bhanot emphasized that knowledge emerges from intellectual exchanges rather than mere question-answering. He underscored the criticality of discourse between academics and practitioners in an era of rapid technological advancements.

The keynote address by Prof. Moon-Hyun Koh (Soongsil University, Korea) examined Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) as a facet of ESG compliance, tracing Korea's evolving CCUS policies under global climate agreements. He analyzed the Korean CCUS Act (2024), its regulatory framework, and challenges, notably public engagement and environmental concerns. He concluded that successful implementation requires transparency, stakeholder participation, and the adoption of global best practices.

The fourth technical session of the International Conference was graced by Justice Arun Kumar Singh Deshwal of the Allahabad High Court. Justice Deshwal, in his inaugural address, underscored the intricate interplay between law, technology, and sustainable development, posing the fundamental question: What constitutes sustainable development? He referred to the 1987 Brundtland Report, defining it as meeting present needs without compromising future generations. The keynote address by Dr. Ivano Alogna explored The Role of Science in Climate Litigation Cases, emphasizing the increasing reliance on scientific evidence in legal battles against climate change. He discussed the role of attribution science in linking emissions to climate-related harm, thereby holding corporations accountableHe examined landmark cases such as Lliuya v. RWE, where a Peruvian farmer sued a German energy firm for glacier melting, setting a precedent for transnational climate liability. He concluded that courts are increasingly recognizing proportional responsibility, holding corporations accountable based on their share of emissions rather than absolute proof of harm.

The second keynote speaker, Sr. Prof. (Dr.) Usha Tandon, delivered a lecture on Optimizing Technology to Enhance Renewable Energy (RE) Development in India: A Reconnaissance Legal Study. She emphasized the pivotal role of renewable energy (RE) in sustainable development, citing its environmental, economic, and social benefits. Despite India's growing RE sector, she noted the absence of a dedicated legal framework governing RE. Judicial interventions, such as Hindustan Zinc Ltd. v. Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission, have shaped the legal landscape, but challenges remain. Dr. Tandon concluded by advocating for a comprehensive RE law to provide legal certainty and promote sustainable energy transitions in India.

In the fifth technical session, the Chairperson Justice Salil Kumar Rai emphasized the importance of allowing the speaker to present their insights in full, highlighting that opportunities to engage deeply with such subjects are rare, especially for students. He encouraged participants to actively engage with the discourse, recognizing it as a valuable platform to broaden their understanding of environmental challenges and legal frameworks.

The keynote address by Prof. Jonathan O. Chimakonam provided an insightful analysis of the complex relationship between climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, and food security. He identified carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide as primary contributors to climate change, emphasizing their role in intensifying environmental instability through droughts, floods, and other natural disasters. While industrialization and technological advancements propel economic development, they also contribute significantly to environmental degradation. He explained that pollutants disrupt ecological balance when their concentrations exceed natural thresholds due to human activities.

The sixth session was chaired by Justice Shekhar B. Saraf, Judge, Allahabad High Court. In his address, he emphasized that “Technology is not just an instrument of growth but also a disruptor.” He acknowledged the challenges faced by students, particularly being part of an early batch without an established campus or a strong alumni network.

Dr. Erimma Gloria Orie, in her keynote address, “Exploring the Intersection of Technology and Indigenous People for Sustainable Development: The Way Forward,” explored the potential integration of Indigenous Knowledge (IK) with modern technological advancements to achieve sustainable development (SD). She emphasized that Indigenous Peoples (IPs) hold vast environmental knowledge, which is recognized in global frameworks such as Agenda 21, UNFCCC, and the World Bank Report. Dr. Orie identified key challenges in IK integration, such as the absence of legal recognition, the perception of Indigenous knowledge as outdated, and the technological divide. She called for policies that recognize Indigenous communities as key stakeholders and support the systematic documentation and integration of IK with scientific methodologies. A legally inclusive and culturally sensitive approach, she argued, is imperative to ensuring that Indigenous knowledge meaningfully contributes to sustainability efforts.

Prof. Philippe Cullet, in his paper “Indigenous Ecological Knowledge and the Law – Uncovering its Modernity,” challenged the conventional notion that modernity is exclusively linked to economic and technological advancements. He critiqued the failure of sustainable development policies to curb the ongoing environmental “polycrisis,” characterized by climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. He advocated for the “Rights of Nature” model, which prioritizes ecological protection over economic growth and shifts decision-making from state-led, expert-driven mechanisms to community-centered approaches. Prof. Cullet concluded that IEK must be recognized as a modern and integral component of environmental governance, necessitating legal reforms that integrate Indigenous perspectives into sustainability policies.

The seventh technical session chaired by Justice Saumitra Dayal Singh, Judge, Allahabad High Court. Justice Singh, in his opening remarks, reflected on his anticipation of insightful discussions, particularly from Mr. Nitin Nanda, whose vast experience he highly regarded. He emphasized the inevitable role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in contemporary legal discourse, acknowledging both skepticism and acceptance surrounding its integration. Justice Singh underscored the traditional reliance on specialized human knowledge in the legal profession, which often led to unexpected intellectual discoveries

Mr. Nitin Nanda, an international lawyer specializing in corporate structuring and taxation in Estonia, provided a pragmatic perspective on the role of AI and technology. He emphasized that technology is merely a tool with the potential for both use and misuse. Delving into the concept of conscious AI, he cited cases such as Google Maps autonomously removing data and highlighted concerns over private data leaks. He referenced global data protection regulations, including the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), critiquing India's inadequate enforcement mechanisms. He also discussed Aadhaar biometrics data breaches and the Ashley Madison case, advocating for AI-driven encryption technologies to bolster data security. Additionally, he engaged the audience in a discussion on blockchain regulations, urging students to explore the legal framework governing emerging technologies.

Dr. Robert Russo delivered an address on legal ethics and the practical implications of AI-assisted decision-making in environmental law. He underscored that AI is reshaping multiple sectors, necessitating specialized regulatory frameworks, particularly in environmental governance. Raising concerns about AI-induced biases, he identified gender and socio-economic biases as critical challenges that require robust safeguards. He asserted that AI, while capable of processing vast datasets—including environmental reports, climate models, and economic analyses—should never substitute human judicial discretion. Addressing privacy concerns, he cautioned against excessive data collection, which could pose significant threats to individual privacy. Dr. Russo concluded that AI should be utilized as a supportive tool rather than an autonomous arbiter, reinforcing the indispensable role of human oversight in legal decision-making.

In the valedictory session, The Chief Guest, Justice Pankaj Mithal, Judge, Supreme Court of India, delivered the valedictory address, emphasizing the crucial role of Judiciary in increasing environmental Jurisprudence nowadays, focusing on topics like bio medical waste, illegal mining, land degradation, deforestation, air and noise pollution. He highlighted improved accessibility for women and person with disabilities is a result of technology in Judiciary. He commended RPNLUP for fostering international legal discourse and promoting forward-thinking policy solutions. He asserted, “Law Schools are the cradle of legal thought thus it is necessary for lawyers to learn about the inclusion of sensitivity to environment with the upcoming policies.” He congratulated the organisers for conducting successful three-day event also appreciated the RPNLUP's speedy resolve to address the issues of emerging technologies in line with gender rights, ecology, etc. He further iterated that creating equal opportunities with innovation is key for Sustainable Development and concluded his insightful address by asserting “The progress must be balanced and we must consider the interconnection between climate change and evolving law. Legal profession stands as the pillar in creating an environmentally harmonious society. Our contribution today will lay the foundation for a better tomorrow.”

The session also featured distinguished guests, including Prof. Moon-Hyun Koh, Soongsil University, Korea, Prof. Rama Shanker Verma, Director, MNNIT, Prayagraj, Prof. (Dr.) S. Surya Prakash, Vice-chancellor, NLIU, Bhopal and Mr. Nitin Nanda, International Lawyer, Estonia.

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