India is set to lead the ninth session of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts (IGE) on Consumer Protection Law and Policy, organized by the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva. The two-day session will gather member states, international organizations, consumer protection authorities, academia, and other stakeholders to discuss emerging issues in consumer protection law and policy.
The IGE, established under the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection, serves as the primary intergovernmental platform for cooperation and dialogue on consumer protection law and policy. India has actively participated in global conversations on consumer protection, showcasing its expertise in cross-border consumer dispute resolution during the Ninth United Nations Conference on Competition and Consumer Protection in Geneva in July 2025.
Secretary of Consumer Affairs, Nidhi Khare, will represent India at the session and chair the discussions. Key agenda items include the launch of the United Nations Principles for Consumer Product Safety, a fireside chat on the significance of these principles, and discussions on implementing the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection by member states.
Deliberations during the session will cover topics such as consumer information and education, sustainable consumption, enforcement of consumer protection laws in global markets, and cross-border consumer protection. Additionally, there will be a review of recent legal and institutional developments, capacity-building initiatives, and the adoption of the report and provisional agenda for the next session.
