July 5, 2026: India will chair the ninth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Intergovernmental Group of Experts (IGE) on Consumer Protection Law and Policy from July 6 to 8, 2026, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. The session will bring together member states, international organisations, consumer protection authorities, academics, and policymakers to deliberate on emerging global consumer protection challenges.
The Indian delegation will be led by Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, who has been invited by UNCTAD to chair the three-day session. India will guide discussions on key global priorities, including implementation of the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection (UNGCP), consumer education, sustainable consumption, cross-border consumer protection, and enforcement of consumer laws in global markets.
A key highlight of the meeting will be the launch of the United Nations Principles for Consumer Product Safety, adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2025. India will also participate in a high-level discussion on the significance of the new principles and contribute its experience in strengthening consumer protection mechanisms.
India has emerged as an active contributor to global consumer protection initiatives. At the Ninth United Nations Conference on Competition and Consumer Protection in July 2025, the country showcased its National Consumer Helpline (NCH) and its pre-litigation convergence model for resolving cross-border consumer disputes.
