Mumbai Actualités • Event report
Mumbai - Les Entretiens 2024 - Mumbai 2047- The Rising of a Global Metropolis
IFCCI organised the first edition of Mumbai Les Entretiens: an exclusive conference on theme "Mumbai 2047- The Rising of a Global Metropolis".
Mumbai - Les Entretiens 2024 - Mumbai 2047- The Rising of a Global Metropolis
The Indo-French Chamber of Commerce & Industry organised the first edition of Les Entretiens at the prestigious Royal Opera House in Mumbai on October 18, 2024. This milestone event gathered influential thought leaders, policymakers, experts and business pioneers to discuss the vision of Mumbai in 2047 as a Global Metropolis.
With over 350+ attendees, this flagship event was a resounding success, sparking insightful discussions on the future of Mumbai and its trajectory towards becoming a global metropolis.
The event, co-chaired by Mr. Sumeet Anand, Founder, IndSight Growth Partners, Ms. Florence Verzelen, Executive Vice- President, Industry, Marketing & Sustainability, Dassault Systèmes, and Mr. Jerome Chartier, Founder, Les Entretiens, centered on the overarching theme: "Mumbai 2047: The Rising of a Global Metropolis."
Opening Remarks: The day began with a warm welcome by Ms. Payal S. Kanwar, Director General of IFCCI, who set the tone for a day of thought-provoking discussions and collaborations. This was followed by Mr. Sumeet Anand and Ms. Florence Verzelen's introductory remarks, where they underscored the significance of collaboration between India and France, particularly in the context of urban development and sustainability.
Inaugural Sessions:
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H.E. Mr. Thierry Mathou, French Ambassador to India, provided special remarks, emphasizing the strength of Indo-French partnerships and the role of bilateral cooperation in realizing Mumbai’s ambitions.
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Smt. Sujata Saunik, Chief Secretary of Maharashtra, shared insights on the state's ongoing efforts towards sustainable urban development and governance, highlighting collaborative government policies.
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Mr. Nadir Godrej, Chairman and Managing Director of Godrej Industries, reflected on the enduring friendship between India and France, expressing his deep admiration for France’s rich culture, political landscape, culinary excellence, and its business environment.
Session Highlights:
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Dr. Shirish Sankhe, Director and Founding Partner of the ISEG Foundation, delivered the first keynote on "Developing Mumbai and the Metropolitan Region as a Global Hub," offering a visionary outlook for Mumbai’s transformation into a world-class city by 2047.
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Mr. Sanjay Singh, CEO & Head of Territory, BNP Paribas India, spoke on the emerging trends in Sustainable Finance, underscoring the need for innovative financial models to support India’s sustainability goals.
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The IPSOS Presentation on Voice of Mumbaikars: Research Findings, led by Mr. Parijat Chakraborty, India Lead - Public Affairs, Corporate Reputation, ESG, CSR, IPSOS revealed key insights from a poll on the Mumbai 2047 Vision, offering a glimpse into the aspirations and expectations of the city’s residents and stakeholders.
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Mr. Hitendra Dave, CEO of HSBC India, shared insights during his session on Mumbai as the Financial Capital, highlighting the city's pivotal role in driving India’s financial ecosystem.
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Mr. Jean-Marc Liduena, President, Circle Strategy discussed Sustainable Consumption and the importance of rethinking consumption patterns for a greener, more sustainable future.
Insightful Discussion Highlights:
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An engaging conversation on the Wishes & Support for India’s 2036 Olympic Games Bid featured Ms. Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, Former Minister of Sports and Olympic and Paralympic Games and Mr. Gaurav Kalra, Vice President - Current Affairs, Viacom18 Media, who explored the role of sports as a nation-building platform and India’s aspirations for hosting the Olympic Games.
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Another engaging dialogue was on Indo-French Affinities, where Ms. Monique Canto-Sperber, French Philosopher and Current Director, CNRS and Mr. Bijoy Jain, Architect, Studio Mumbai delved into strengthening and celebrating the historical & deep cultural ties between India & France.
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A dynamic panel on Transformative Transport Infrastructure featured top leaders such as Mr. Kaustubh Dhavse, Joint Secretary & Officer on Special Duty to the Deputy Chief Minister, Govt. of Maharashtra, Mr. Arun Bansal, CEO, Adani Airports Holdings Ltd, Mr. Ashish Saraf, VP and Country Director – India, Thales, and Mr. Rajesh Chaabra, Executive Director- Transportation South Asia, EGIS, was moderated by Mr. Sanjay Ubale, Former Secretary to Govt of Maharashtra in charge of Mumbai development and Currently Member of Governing Board, Mumbai First. The session delved into the critical projects shaping Mumbai’s transportation network, including the expansion of airports and metro systems.
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The session on Shaping Higher Education brought together visionaries like Ms. Najat Vallaud Belkacem, Former Education Minister, Mr. Vincenzo Vinzi, President & Dean, Essec Business School and President, CDEFM (Conference of Directors of French Management Schools), Mr. Ronnie Screwvala, Co-founder upGrad & Swades Foundation, and Mr. Shashi Kiran Shetty, Chairman, Board of Governance (BoG), IIM Mumbai and Founder and Chairman, Allcargo Group, with moderator Dr. Indu Shahani, Founding President and Chancellor of ATLAS SkillTech University leading a discussion on how education can fuel Mumbai’s rise as a knowledge hub.
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A conversation on Defining a New Mumbai Urban Culture brought together key figures like Ms. Brinda Miller, Chairperson, Kala Ghoda Association, Mr. Yash Bhanage, Founder & COO, Bombay Canteen, Mr. Atul Ruia, Chairman, The Phoenix Mills Ltd, Ms. Meenakshi Shedde, Film Curator and Critic Jury member, Cannes Film Festival's Semaine de la Critique 2023, and Mr. Vincent Montagne, President & CEO, Média-Participations, moderated by Mr. Asad Lalljee, CEO, Avid Learning & Curator, Royal Opera House, Mumbai. The panel explored the intersections of art, architecture, and urban living in shaping the city’s cultural fabric.
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Ms. Marie Humblot Ferrero, Managing Director & Partner, BCG Paris and Mr. Prasad Pandit, Industry Process Consultant – Management Leader (Building & Infrastructure Worldwide), Dassault Systemes and Ms. Lise Breuil, Country Director, AFD Delhi – Agence Française de Développement led the session on Strategic Spatial Planning, addressing how Mumbai’s urban sprawl can be better managed through smart, technology-driven solutions.
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The day concluded with a forward-looking discussion on Sustainable Future Living, with participants such as Mr. Praveen Pardeshi, EO, Mitra, Mr. Ashvin Iyengar, Head of Strategy & Transformation, Adani Group (Dharavi Redevelopment Project), and Ms. Shweta Jain, Chief Marketing & Sales Officer, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, Mr. Nicolas Wigishoff, Director, Suez Ultrafor Pvt. Ltd, moderated by Mr. Rajeev Mecheri, Serial Entrepreneur in RealEstate Tech, Partner, Mecheri Holdings. This panel explored future urban development strategies for Mumbai, with a focus on sustainability.
The event closed with a beautiful performance by Ms. Cheryl Bains, an operatically trained soprano, and Mr. Jay Parte, a concert pianist which reflected of the cultural richness of both India and France.
The conference was followed by an exclusive VIP Dinner organised by IFCCI on behalf of Dr. Rati and Mr. Nadir Godrej, Chairman & Managing Director of Godrej Industries to celebrate the inaugural edition of Mumbai Les Entretiens on Friday, 18th October at St. Regis, Mumbai.