Sri Lanka’s Engagement at 81st Session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)

The Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Thailand and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, led Sri Lanka’s delegation at the 81st Session of ESCAP, held from 21 to 25 April 2025 at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok.

The session opened with remarks by the Executive Secretary of ESCAP, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, who emphasized the urgent need for strengthened regional cooperation to address emerging challenges, including trade fragmentation, debt crises, demographic shifts, the digital divide, and climate shocks.

Delivering the opening address, the Prime Minister of Thailand, Paetongtarn Shinawatra called for enhanced multilateral collaboration to tackle pressing global issues such as natural disasters, geopolitical tensions, economic volatility, climate change, and transnational crime. The Prime Minister also reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to sustainable development, highlighting the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy model as pathways towards food security, a creative economy, and a green transition.

Ambassador Edirisinghe reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s steadfast commitment to sustainable development, equity, and regional solidarity. Delivering her country statement, she outlined the country’s proactive response to recent economic challenges, including the successful implementation of IMF-supported reforms, the strengthening of fiscal stability, and the enhancement of social protection measures. The Ambassador further emphasized Sri Lanka’s focus on sustainability, innovation, and export-led growth, underscoring national initiatives such as the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme and the National Strategy to Promote Inclusive and Sustainable Businesses.

During the session, Sri Lanka was successfully elected to the Governing Council of the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM) for the 2025–2028 term. In addition to the main session, the Sri Lanka delegation attended key side events, including the ESCAP-SAARC-UNEP side event on Building Climate Resilient Cities: Tackling Air Pollution for a Sustainable Urban Future, and the side event organized by the International Coconut Community (ICC) at the margins of the Commission.

At the closing session, the Ambassador and the delegation joined in considering and adopting the report of the 81st Session, which includes key decisions and resolutions aimed at strengthening the Commission’s institutional structure and advancing sustainable development goals across the Asia-Pacific region.

Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka
Bangkok
25.04.2025