The conference was inaugurated by Dr. Pramod Sawant, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa; Sri. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Union Minister of Tourism & Culture, Govt of India; Sri. Sadanand Shet Tanavade, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha and distinguished guests from across India and abroad. The inaugural session featured ceremonial lamp lighting followed by keynote addresses highlighting Goa’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure and responsible urban development.

Speaking to the media, Dr. Pramod Sawant, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, said, “Goa’s architectural heritage is a living legacy that continues to shape our future. As we pursue rapid development, we remain committed to creating world-class, resilient and inclusive infrastructure rooted in sustainability, environmental responsibility and respect for our unique cultural identity. Our vision is to ensure that progress strengthens, rather than diminishes, the character that makes Goa truly distinctive. The National Conference on Goan Architecture & Sustainability serves as a valuable platform for architects, planners, policymakers and experts to exchange ideas and advance innovative, climate-resilient and heritage-sensitive solutions. Through collaboration, green technologies and the conservation of our architectural legacy, we can ensure that development and preservation move forward together, building a prosperous and environmentally responsible Goa for generations to come.”

Throughout the day, experts participated in four thematic panel discussions covering Goan Architecture & Contextual Design, Heritage Conservation & Sustainable Habitat, Energy Efficiency & Green Building Certification, and Climate-Smart Materials & Sustainable Construction Practices. The sessions featured eminent speakers from leading institutions including TERI, Charles Correa Foundation, INTACH, GRIHA Council, World Bank, IFC, Centre for Science and Environment, Auroville Earth Institute, the European Union, the Royal Danish Embassy and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, among others.

The conference encouraged meaningful dialogue on balancing rapid urbanisation with environmental responsibility while exploring innovative technologies, policy interventions and collaborative approaches for resilient infrastructure development.

A dedicated exhibition showcasing GoVAN products was also organised alongside the conference, providing delegates with an opportunity to experience and appreciate products that reflect Goa’s local innovation, craftsmanship and entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The conference concluded with a valedictory session summarising the key recommendations and takeaways from the discussions, followed by a networking high tea that facilitated interactions among government representatives, industry stakeholders, architects, researchers and policymakers.

The National Conference reaffirmed Goa’s vision of becoming a national leader in sustainable infrastructure, heritage conservation and climate-resilient urban development through collaboration, innovation and knowledge sharing.