Sri Lanka elected as Chair of the Seventh Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD), in Bangkok
Sri Lanka and Thailand Strengthen Educational Ties During Ministerial Visit
As part of his official visit to Thailand, Hon. Dr. Upali Pannilage, Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment of Sri Lanka, led a delegation to meet with Associate Professor Khunying Sumonta Promboon, President and the academic staff of the Chitralada Technology Institute, on 22 April 2026.
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.
The7th APFSDwas held under the theme‘Accelerating action for and delivery of the 2030 Agenda in Asia and the Pacific’. Recalling that the UN has declared a ‘Decade of Action’ in realizing the 2030 Agenda, Ambassador Jayasuriya, addressing the Opening Session underscored the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships and well coordinated response at national, and regional levels, including with all institutions and all members of society, as well as from the multilateral cooperation framework,in moving forward.
Joining the Opening Session online from New York was the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, and the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP Ms. Armida SalsiahAlisjahbana, and H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Thailand, also addressed the Session. The speakers highlighted the need to change the challenges posed by COVID-19 crisis into new opportunities. They suggested on enhanced investments in social protection and health care, developing economic models aiming at green jobs, leveraging on innovations to advance technology based solutions while bridging the digital divide and enhancing scientific cooperation in the Asia Pacific Region etc.
Joining from Colombo, Dr. Sugath Yalegama, Director General of the Sustainable Development Council of Sri Lanka shared Sri Lanka’s responses to contain the COVID 19 and actions taken in accelerating progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Emphasizing the necessity and importance of focusing onimmediate and medium term strategies, in the post COVID 19 context, he also highlighted that the new realities need to be incorporated into the goals and targets of 2030 Agenda.
The Session was joined online by over 730 participants representing member States, major stake holders, civil society and NGOs, and was declared opened by H.E. Fidelis Magalhães,Minister for Legislative Reforms and Parliamentary Affairs of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, as the outgoing Chair of the 6th APFSD. The annual Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) is an inclusive intergovernmental forum and a regional platform for supporting countries, in particular those with special needs, in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Ms. ShiranthiRatnayake, Additional Director General, National Planning Department, Ms.SamanthiSenanayake, Director and Ms.SheronHewawaduge, Assistant Director, Sustainable Development Council of Sri Lankajoined virtually from Colombo, and Mrs. PoornimaGunasekera, Head of Chancery, Mr. Anil Sirimanna, Counsellor (Commerce), and Ms. SarithaRanatunga, Second Secretary of the Sri Lanka Mission in Bangkokalso represented the GOSL delegation to the 7th APFSD.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Bangkok, Thailand
21 May 2020
7th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development Written inputs by Sri Lanka
