Sri Lanka’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to UNESCAP Chairs 421st Session of the ACPR in Bangkok

The Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to Thailand, E.A.S. Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, participated in the 421st Session of the Advisory Committee of Permanent Representatives (ACPR) held at the United Nations premises in Bangkok. The Ambassador was invited to chair the final ACPR session of the year, reflecting Sri Lanka’s active and constructive engagement with the UN system in the region.

The session commenced with opening remarks by the Executive Secretary of UNESCAP, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, who outlined the organization’s extensive work across the Asia-Pacific region. She emphasized that in 2025, ESCAP strengthened regional cooperation to advance inclusive and sustainable development, with a clear focus on supporting vulnerable country groups such as LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS. The Executive Secretary highlighted ESCAP’s efforts in promoting resilient and sustainable urban development, enhancing disaster risk reduction, advancing digital and paperless trade, supporting safe and regular migration, and improving civil registration and vital statistics systems. She also underscored ESCAP’s work on climate action, green growth, financing for development, and strengthening sub regional partnerships, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to ensuring no one is left behind.

Following the opening remarks, delegations from the United Kingdom, the United States, Russia, Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, Mongolia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and several others commended UNESCAP for its contributions across key thematic areas. These included disaster risk reduction, climate change mitigation and adaptation, environmental protection, urban development, and broader sustainable development initiatives that continue to shape progress across the Asia-Pacific region.

During the session, the representative from Azerbaijan provided an overview of the preparations for the eighty-second session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, scheduled to take place from 20 to 24 April 2026 in Baku. The session will open with a ministerial segment and general debate on opportunities and solutions for a sustainable future. It will then focus on the theme “Leaving no one behind: Advancing a society for all ages in Asia and the Pacific,” followed by meetings of the Special Body on LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS. Sub regional perspectives and a dialogue with heads of sub regional organizations and senior officials will be held on 22 and 23 April 2026.

The 421st ACPR session concluded with a warm gesture from Sri Lanka, as participants were served delicious traditional Sri Lankan dishes, showcasing the country’s renowned hospitality and offering delegates a taste of Sri Lanka’s rich culinary heritage.

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26 December 2025