The first edition of Kashi Samvaad 2025 brought together policymakers, industry leaders, academicians, development practitioners, and civil society for a two-day national dialogue on inclusive and sustainable development. Organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and the CII Foundation, and aligned with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)’s India–AI Impact Summit 2026, the platform focused on charting pathways towards Viksit Bharat 2047.

The programme featured thematic discussions on healthcare systems strengthening, education and skilling, waste management and circular economy practices, technology and AI for social transformation, and collaborative rural development.

CII Foundation organised a conference of environment champions on 9 June 2025 anchored with the World Environment Day celebration. The 2025 United Nations theme #BeatPlasticPollution, which underscored the need for urgent, inclusive action for the future of the planet and its people. The conference united stakeholders for celebration of their exemplary work on the ground and deliberated on ways to champion environmental solutions in key areas such as plastic pollution, waste management, air pollution, rural transformation and climate adaptation.