Ambassador of Sri Lanka and the Permanent Representative to UNESCAP C. A. Chaminda I. Colonne led the Sri Lanka Delegation to the 7th Asian Pacific Population Conference from 15-17 November 2023 at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) in Bangkok, Thailand.

Ambassador of Sri Lanka and the Permanent Representative to UNESCAP C. A. Chaminda I. Colonne led the Sri Lanka Delegation to the 7th Asian Pacific Population Conference from 15-17 November 2023 at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Sri Lanka delegation comprised of Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health of Sri Lanka Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Director General, Department of National Planning R.H.W.A. Kumarasiri, Additional Director General, Department of National Planning, Shiranthi Dammika Ratnayake, Additional Director General, Department of Census and Statistics, Shyamalie Deepika, First Secretary/Deputy Permanent Representative to UNESCAP, A.W.S Samanmali and First Secretary (Commercial)/Deputy Permanent Representative to UNESCAP, Vireshika Bandara.

After the opening remarks made by the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of UNESCAP Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Minister of Social Development and Human Security of the Kingdom of Thailand Varawut Silpa-archa delivered the keynote remarks at the session.

Delivering the country statement, the Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health of Sri Lanka Dr. Asela Gunawardena stated that Sri Lanka’s population is rapidly ageing. By 2030, 1 in 5 people will be above the age of 60 years which will affect Sri Lanka’s political, economic and social structures and have implications for achieving the 2030 Development Agenda. It is imperative to take necessary steps to ensure that social, economic and health policies and programmes evolve to address the challenges ahead. As a nation that has achieved gender parity in education enrollment and high female completion rates, their participation in the labour force has remained low. To ensure the full potential of Sri Lanka’s population is tapped and to promote gender equality in labour, the Government of Sri Lanka has set up institutional mechanisms, including legal reforms to enable the integration of women into the workforce.

Dr. Gunawardene was a panel member of the round table discussion on achievements, challenges, gaps and emerging issues in the implementation of the Asian and Pacific Ministerial Declaration on Population and Development.

On the sidelines of the Forum, Sri Lanka delegation held bilateral discussions with Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of UNESCAP, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana.

Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka
Bangkok
21st November 2023