Geneva: India is set to take centre stage in shaping global consumer protection policies as it chairs the ninth session of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Consumer Protection Law and Policy in Geneva. Organised by the United Nations Trade and Development, the prestigious three-day event will commence at the Palais des Nations. The high-level meeting will bring together prominent delegates from member states, international organisations, consumer protection authorities, and academia to deliberate on contemporary challenges and develop robust solutions for safeguarding consumer interests worldwide.
Nidhi Khare, the Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs, has been formally invited by UNCTAD to chair the session. In this leadership role, she will guide discussions on critical global priorities, including sustainable consumption, enhanced consumer education, and the strict enforcement of consumer protection laws across interconnected global marketplaces. A major highlight of the conference will be the official launch of the United Nations Principles for Consumer Product Safety, which were adopted by the UN General Assembly late last year. India will also feature prominently in a high-level fireside chat focusing on the long-term significance of these newly introduced global product safety guidelines, alongside facilitating a voluntary peer review of Argentina’s existing consumer frameworks.
India’s selection as the chair reflects its expanding international footprint and recognition for its domestic, technology-driven grievance redressal mechanisms. During the preceding United Nations Conference on Competition and Consumer Protection, India successfully showcased its pre-litigation convergence model under the National Consumer Helpline, which has facilitated refunds exceeding ₹91.77 crore by resolving over 1.47 lakh grievances out of court over the past fourteen months. Furthermore, the Indian government has modernised its domestic dispute resolution infrastructure through e-Jagriti, an artificial intelligence-enabled digital platform. This advanced interface supports online complaint filings, electronic case management, and virtual hearings, allowing non-resident Indians and global consumers to seamlessly address cross-border grievances and positioning India as a model for modern consumer-centric governance.
