Kerala leads the country in achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined by the United Nations for 2030. However, the Chief Minister urged further progress, calling for effective plans to overcome challenges in development and to prioritize sustainability. The state government is committed to fostering a “bright future and green future” for the new generation.

Globally, a lack of collaboration and collective decision-making has hindered efforts to achieve sustainable development. The Chief Minister urged Kerala to chart its own course without waiting for international consensus, especially in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. He pointed to the increasing environmental disasters such as floods, landslides, and coastal erosion that Kerala has experienced, underscoring the need for proactive, multifaceted measures.

While the tetrapod-based coastal protection in Chellanam has been effective, the Chief Minister highlighted the need for exploring more eco-friendly solutions. He emphasized that sustainability should guide every stage of construction, from material production and transportation to maintenance, with a focus on reducing the carbon footprint. Skill development and research are vital to advancing these goals, along with learning from global best practices.

The Uralungal Society has already embraced sustainability as a core value. Their “Tech Talk” series introduces global innovations in construction. The Chief Minister lauded ULCCS as an institution inherently aligned with sustainable development, emphasizing its values of quality, discipline, and transparency. These principles, he said, make ULCCS a sought-after partner for international organizations.

In his presidential address, Finance Minister KN Balagopal praised ULCCS for its efficiency in delivering high-quality construction projects, which makes it a preferred choice for both officials and public representatives.

The event also featured distinguished guests, including Minister for Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development J. Chinchurani, former ministers Dr.T.M Thomas Isaac and Shibu Baby John, CSIR–CRRI Director Dr. Manoranjan Parida, Director General of NCCBM Dr. L.P. Singh, and Professor Narayanan Naithalath from Arizona State University. IIIC Director Prof. B. Sunil Kumar outlined the objectives of the conclave.

The conclave, organized in collaboration with Arizona State University, KIIFBI, CSIR, IITs from Madras, Palakkad, and Tirupati, NIT Calicut, Kerala Technical University, NICMAR University, and RICS, brings together global and local experts to share insights on sustainable construction practices.

Key attendees included district-level representatives, ULCCS Chairman Shri Remeshan Paleri, and Managing Director S. Shaju, among others.