Ambassador of Sri Lanka and Permanent Representative to UNESCAP, Chaminda Colonne Chairs the 80th Commission Session of the UNESCAP and launches “Cooperation with Impact – Launch of the Technical Cooperation Highlights 2022-2023”

Ambassador of Sri Lanka and Permanent Representative to UNESCAP, C. A. Chaminda I. Colonne, led the Sri Lanka Delegation to the 80th Commission Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, (UNESCAP) from 22nd to 26th April 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand, under the theme “Leveraging digital innovation for sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific” and elected as a Vice Chair of the Bureau for the 80th Commission.

By delivering the opening address, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana stated that intelligently deployed and properly governed digital solutions, based on a common understanding, shared approaches and collaborative governance, form the foundations for the foundations for the collective push necessary for the attainment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Delivering his special remarks and welcome address as host Government, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, highlighted the initiatives taken in promoting Thailand’s digital transition to a digital economy and financial system, and the importance of preventing risks arising from digital transformation, such as cybercrime. He also stressed on the importance of international cooperation to ensure a safe, equitable, and beneficial digital transition to all people in the region.

On 5th April 2025, when Ambassador Chaminda Colonne, was chairing the 80th Commission session on “Review of the implementation of the 2030Agenda for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific and issues pertinent to the subsidiary structure of the Commission” the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina delivered her special remarks and stated that Bangladesh has declared their next vision to become a ‘Smart’ Bangladesh by the year 2041 and suggested that more inclusive and connected Asia-Pacific region needs to be fostered by enhancing e-commerce and digital trade and accelerating IT enabled services.

More than 800 delegates from 61 member States, associate members and Observer countries as well as various stakeholder groups and international organizations attended the 80th Commission session. Prime Minister of Cambodia, Foreign Minister of Mongolia (Chair of the 80th Commission session), President of the Seventy-eighth General Assembly, Coordination Minister for Economic Affairs of Indonesia, Minister of Finance of Bangladesh, Vice Minister of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan, Minister for Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change, and Communication of Tonga, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan were among the other dignitaries attended.

The Secretary of the Ministry of Technology, Dharmasiri Kumarathunga, First Secretary/Deputy Permanent Representative to UNESCAP, A.W.S Samanmali, were other members of the Sri Lanka delegation, and Secretary Kumarathunga delivered the Sri Lanka’s country statement through a video message under the theme “Leveraging digital innovation for sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific” and Ambassador intervened in the High-level thematic roundtable on “Digital innovations for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals“.

During the 80th Commission, Governments from across Asia and the Pacific adopted a resolution encouraging countries to work together closely to promote research, dialogue, technical cooperation and development of digital technologies and digital economy initiatives in an efficient, affordable, inclusive, secure and accessible manner, particularly for the most vulnerable countries and population groups. Three other resolutions were also adopted. Covering sustainable energy connectivity, strengthened support for countries in special situations to accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and meet other global commitments, as well as on improving procedures.

During a side event, jointly organized on 24th April 2024 by the Sri Lanka Mission of Sri Lanka and the UNESCAP the publication of “Cooperation with Impact – Launch of the Technical Cooperation Highlights 2022-2023” was launched by Ambassador Chaminda Colonne. During the launch Executive Secretary Alisjahbana stated that Sri Lanka is one of the key partners which promotes South-South and Triangular cooperation in the region and stated that its commitment to the course is also emphasizes through Sri Lanka’s current Presidency of the high-level committee of South-South corporation to the annual Asia Pacific DG Forum. She assured the continuous support of ESCAP to countries in the region including Sri Lanka for a sustainable and inclusive resilience future as approach by 2030. Director, Strategy and Programme Management Division of ESCAP Adnan H. Aliani, briefed on the publication.

During the panel discussion, of the launch, Deputy Secretary-General, World Meteorological Organization, Ko Barrett, Mayor of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Kanop Ketchart, Secretary General, Rehabilitation International, Teuta Rexhepi and Regional Investment Lead, Asia Global Green Growth Institute, Gulshan Vashistha, showcased selected success stories and results delivered in collaboration with a wide range of partners, featuring examples of technical cooperation projects implemented across the Asia-Pacific region, including ESCAP’s Macroeconomic modeling study and GGGI’s (Global Green Growth Institute) support for Sri Lanka to advance sustainable finance by developing the Green Bond Framework that guides investment and provides training, co-financing the Second Party Opinion for market credibility.

In her remarks during the launch, Ambassador Chaminda Colonne, stated that Sri Lanka became a Member of ESCAP in 1954 and expressed Sri Lanka’s sincere appreciation to ESCAP for the continuous support given for its’ development throughout this long journey, especially during the critical time Sri Lanka passed recently, in the areas of Voluntary National Reviews (VNR), sustainable financing, inclusive business, transport, trade, climate action and women’s economic empowerment. Sri Lanka is also a beneficiary of multiple multi-country activities implemented by ESCAP in 2022-2023. The side event was well attended by the Ambassadors, Permanent Representatives from delegates from member States, technical and development cooperation agencies, UN agencies, intergovernmental organizations, as well as the private sector.

Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka
Bangkok
07.05.2024