82nd Session of ESCAP Concludes with Strong Regional Commitments: Sri Lanka Highlights Active Engagement
The Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Bangkok, Thailand, Sri Lanka actively participated in the 82nd Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, held from 20 to 24 April 2026, reaffirming its commitment to advancing inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development across the Asia-Pacific region.
Sri Lanka Highlights “Advancing Societies for All Ages in Asia and the Pacific” Vision at 82nd ESCAP Commission External Inbox Sri Lankan Embassy
Sri Lanka is participating in the 82nd Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), being held in Bangkok, Thailand from 20 to 24 April 2026, under the theme “Advancing Societies for All Ages in Asia and the Pacific.”
Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena held a media conference at the Foreign Ministry on 23 March 2021, to brief the media on the outcome of the UNHRC sessions in Geneva. He appreciated the support extended by the countries in favour of Sri Lanka.
Video Link: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=N1IfiA9u8Dg
Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that it is a victory for Sri Lanka that only 22 of the 47 member states of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) have voted in favour of the resolution against Sri Lanka. The vote on the resolution against Sri Lanka at the Human Rights Council in Geneva took place on 23 March 2021.
The Foreign Minister addressed a media briefing at the Foreign Ministry after the voting. The Minister pointed out that, only the countries of dominant ideology had voted in favour of the resolution. He also pointed out that it is against the Charter of the United Nations to isolate selected countries of the member states of the Human Rights Commission and file charges against them.
The people have voted to elect Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the President of the country with an overwhelming majority and then the majority has voted to form a strong government for him. The previous government had co-sponsored and passed these resolutions at the Geneva Human Rights Conference to put our country in a dangerous situation. After the election of our Government in 2019, we participated in the 43rd Human Rights Council and withdrew from that co-sponsorship.
