(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the office of the Senior Advisor of the President on Climate Change Ruwan Wijewardene and Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) conducted a brainstorming session titled ‘‘Sri Lanka Sustainable Finance Session: Opportunity for Thematic Bonds and Debt for Nature Swaps.’’
Key decision makers of the relevant stakeholder ministries involved in renewable energy investments participated in the discussion. This event was organized following a request made by Foreign Minister Ali Sabry during his recent meeting with the President of the Assembly and Chair of the Council of the Global Green Growth Institute Ban Ki-Moon. The event was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 13 March 2023 which was inaugurated by the State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya.
The resource persons of the GGGI and UNESCAP conducted the symposium which covered themes on green investment services, United Nations innovative financing technical assistance, Debt for Nature Swap (DNS), thematic bonds and its benefits and the role of stakeholder ministries in this process.
The interactive session enhanced awareness amongst key decision makers on the associated benefits and risks of accessing, mobilizing, and operationalizing sustainable climate financing instruments in Sri Lanka, and the respective roles and responsibilities of key ministries.
State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe, Senior Advisor to the President on Climate Change Ruwan Wijewardene, Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aruni Wijewardane, Secretary to the Ministry of Environment Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries R.M.I. Rathnayaka, Ministry of Finance and Secretary to the Treasury K.M. Mahinda Siriwardana, Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Highways M.M.P.K. Mayadunne, Senior Advisor to the President on Environment, Climate Change and Green Finance, senior officials of the Ministries of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation, Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms, Power & Energy, Urban Development & Housing, Sustainable Development Council, Central Bank of Sri Lanka and Director General GGGI, Dr. Frank Rijsberman also participated in the event.
