ReNew's co-founder Vaishali Nigam Sinha has become the first private sector expert to be elected as president of United Nations Global Compact Network India (UNGCNI).
The Indian Country Network of the Global Compact has announced formation of its new governing council for the 2025-27 term, said a UNGCNI statement.
With her election, Sinha becomes the first leader from India's private sector to assume the presidency of UNGCNI in over two decades, marking a historic shift in the organisation's leadership ethos, it stated.
The newly elected 12-member council has a diverse representation from corporates, not-for-profit organisations, consultancies, and top educational institutes, bringing a multi-stakeholder perspective to the promotion of sustainable business practices in India, it added.
Under Sinha's presidency, the council will work towards steering the adoption of the global initiative 'Forward Faster' by all the members and supporting their adherence to its targets.
It will also focus on expanding UNGCNI’s Gender Equality efforts across their work in climate action, water resilience, and circular economy.
Sinha, who is co-founder of ReNew, brings a wealth of experience in the areas of sustainability, environment, social and governance (ESG), and corporate strategy, the statement said.
"My focus will also be on catalysing women-led leadership in sustainability, because we cannot build a just and resilient future without those who have historically been excluded from the table. In the next two years, I aim to build platforms that move beyond dialogue to shape policy, unlock partnerships, and turn ambition into collective impact," Sinha said.
The position has been traditionally held by an ONGC official.
The UNGCNI plays a pivotal role in advancing the ten universally accepted principles across human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption.
With 361 members and active chapters in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru, the network is steadily expanding its national footprint while working to align Indian corporate practices with global sustainable development goals.
