India to chair UNCTAD's Consumer Protection session in Geneva
New Delhi, July 5
India will chair the ninth session of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Consumer Protection Law and Policy, organised by the United Nations Trade and Development at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on Monday, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.
The two-day session will bring together member states, international organisations, consumer protection authorities, academia and other stakeholders to deliberate on emerging issues in consumer protection law and policy.
The IGE, constituted under the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection, is the principal intergovernmental platform for cooperation and dialogue on consumer protection law and policy.
India has been actively contributing to international discussions on consumer protection. During the Ninth United Nations Conference on Competition and Consumer Protection, held in Geneva in July 2025, the Department of Consumer Affairs shared India's experience in cross-border consumer dispute resolution, highlighting the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) and its pre-litigation convergence model.
India will be represented by Secretary, Consumer Affairs, Nidhi Khare, who has been invited by the UNCTAD to chair the ninth session. As Chairperson, she will preside over the three-day deliberations and guide discussions among member states on key global consumer protection priorities.
Key highlights of the session include the launch of the United Nations Principles for Consumer Product Safety, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2025, and a high-level fireside chat on "Why the Principles Matter," in which India will participate and discussions on implementation of the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection (UNGCP) by member states.
Besides, deliberations will be held on consumer information and education, sustainable consumption, enforcement of consumer protection law in global markets, and cross-border consumer protection. A review of recent legal and institutional developments, capacity-building initiatives and adoption of the report and provisional agenda for the next session will also be drawn up, the statement added.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is good news for Indian consumers. However, I hope the principles discussed actually translate into real improvements back home. Many of us still face issues with e-commerce returns, fake products on online marketplaces, and poor after-sales service. The NCH is helpful but needs more teeth - often complaints just get forwarded without resolution. Let's see if this global role leads to stronger domestic enforcement.
Great to see India taking a leadership role in consumer protection! The pre-litigation convergence model they mentioned is something I've used personally - it saved me from going to court over a faulty smartphone. Very practical approach. Also glad they're discussing sustainable consumption and cross-border issues, which are increasingly relevant with global e-commerce.
As someone who works in international trade, I can say this is well-deserved recognition. India's consumer protection framework has evolved significantly - the Consumer Protection Act 2019 was a major upgrade. The fact that they're chairing this session reflects serious capacity. The product safety principles launch is particularly important for developing countries that often get dumped with substandard goods.
Impressive move by India. The UNCTAD IGE is an important forum for developing countries to shape global consumer protection norms. India's experience with the NCH and its digital integration is actually quite advanced compared to many nations. This chairpersonship puts them in a strong position to influence the agenda toward more equitable consumer protections worldwide.
While I appreciate the global recognition, let's not forget that consumer protection in India still has a long way to go. Farmer suicides due to debt, patients cheated by
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