Deputy CM K V Singh Deo Meets Tony Blair; Odisha to Host Energy Ministers’ Conference

Bhubaneswar : Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri K. V. Singh Deo, met with former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Executive Chairman of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI), Mr. Tony Blair, at the Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi today.

During the meeting, a tripartite Letter of Intent (LoI) was signed between the Energy Department of the Government of Odisha, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, and the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. The LoI was signed in the presence of both leaders. As per the agreement, Odisha will take the lead in establishing a Community of Practice of Energy Ministers from various Indian states. A national conference of State Energy Ministers is scheduled to be held in Odisha later this year.

Mr. Blair acknowledged Odisha’s pioneering efforts in electricity sector reforms and noted the significant investments the state has attracted in the renewable energy sector over the past year. He also highlighted the unique challenges Odisha faces due to its mineral-based industries and reliance on thermal power generation. Mr. Blair reaffirmed the Tony Blair Institute’s commitment to collaborating with Odisha in advancing sustainable energy solutions.

Deputy Chief Minister Shri Singh Deo reiterated the state’s strong commitment to achieving a low-carbon future and reaching net-zero emissions. He emphasized that Odisha will adopt a strategic and globally aligned approach to climate action. The issue of distress migration from western Odisha was also discussed during the meeting.

The Tony Blair Institute has previously supported the Government of Odisha in formulating its Artificial Intelligence Policy, which has since been approved by the state cabinet.

Mr. Vivek Agarwal, TBI’s Country Director for India, praised Odisha’s leadership in energy and technology, calling it a new benchmark for Indian states. “The launch of the Energy Ministers’ Community of Practice marks a significant milestone, and TBI is proud to support this visionary initiative,” he stated.

The Letter of Intent was signed by Mr. Vivek Agarwal (TBI), Professor Sachidanand Tripathy, Dean of IIT Kanpur, and Shri Debidutta Tripathy, FA-cum-Additional Secretary of the Energy Department, Government of Odisha.

Susree Sangita Maharana
Public Relations Officer