Sri Lanka, on Tuesday, marked a monumental step forward in its climate resilience journey with the inauguration of the Climate Action Symposium 2025, a landmark event bringing together over 250 policymakers, experts, and international academia, practitioners, and local government and community leaders from across the nation, and beyond. The two-day symposium, convened as the Green Climate Fund (GCF) financed Climate Resilient Integrated Water Management Project (CRIWMP), is set to drive the momentum for sustainable, climate-adaptive development well into the future.

The two-day symposium seeks to harness momentum for far-reaching, climate-adaptive transformation. Organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka, and academic partner, the University of Peradeniya, the event concluded on 01 October 2025, with the attendance of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The inauguration ceremony welcomed distinguished guests, including K.D. Lal Kantha, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land & Irrigation (MoALL&I), Dr. Dammika Patabendi, Minister of Environment; Dr. Susil Ranasinghe, Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation; Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka; Mr. D. P. Wickremasinghe, Secretary to the MoALL&I; Mr. Sampath Manthrinayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security & Community Empowerment; K. R. Uduwawala, Secretary to the Ministry of Environment; Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative for UNDP in Sri Lanka; Hemant Mandal, Director of the Green Climate Fund’s Department of the Asia and the Pacific Region; high-level representatives from development partners; and senior representatives from academic and government circles.

Reflecting on the Government of Sri Lanka’s commitment, D. P. Wickremasinghe, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation stated, “As we inaugurate the Climate Action Symposium, we are not simply reflecting on past achievements, we are charting a bold path forward for all Sri Lankans. The success of the CRIWMP has shown us that climate resilience is possible when communities, policymakers, and partners unite around shared goals. This symposium is an invitation to continue that journey together, ensuring a safer and more sustainable future for generations to come.”

At the heart of the symposium lies a clear mission: to consolidate and share the transformative lessons, best practices, and innovations pioneered by CRIWMP over the past seven transformative years, ensuring they can be replicated to benefit more communities, both within Sri Lanka and globally. The event features a dynamic programme of discussions, knowledge-sharing sessions, and collaborative workshops designed to empower stakeholders and catalyze lasting partnerships.

Highlighting UNDPs thought leadership and support,  Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative, UNDP in Sri Lanka, emphasised, “The Climate Action Symposium aims to take stock of rich experiences and impactful practices from the country’s first GCF funded project, CRIWMP, from the past seven years. The model that has been made possible through multi-sectoral partnerships  will continue to help uplift the lives of rural communities while adapting to climate change.  The project has empowered stakeholders with new knowledge and tools, and the stories must be told as a powerful example for climate adaptation worldwide. UNDP is proud to have contributed to Sri Lanka’s national ambitions in building resilient communities through inclusive, locally-driven solutions.”

The Director of the Green Climate Fund’s Department of the Asia and the Pacific Region, Hemant Mandal, said, “This project has transformed water resource management and climate-resilient agriculture in Sri Lanka’s Dry Zone, setting a benchmark for integrated, climate-smart development. The Green Climate Fund is pleased to celebrate the success of its first project in Sri Lanka. I congratulate the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land & Irrigation and UNDP for their dedication and collaboration on this landmark initiative.”

The CRIWMP’s impact has extended far beyond its immediate achievements in Sri Lanka’s Dry Zone. By prioritising local ownership and community-driven approaches, the project has built a sustainable, grassroots foundation for climate resilience. The symposium will further distill these learnings into a comprehensive body of knowledge, providing actionable frameworks for climate-resilient water management and community empowerment. This project through GCF‘s supported intervention has fundamentally transformed water resource management and climate-resilient agriculture in Sri Lanka’s Dry Zone, setting a benchmark for integrated, climate-smart development.

The Climate Action Symposium proudly highlights a series of transformative achievements that underscore the tangible impacts of climate-resilient action across Sri Lanka’s dry zone. 1.2 million people, across the Mi, Malwathu and Yan Oya river basins, now thrive with greater water security. 15,000 hectares of farmland flourish with reliable irrigation, supporting climate-resilient agricultural livelihoods. Over 50,000 farmers have been trained in climate-smart agriculture, equipping them with the skills to adapt to climate impacts. This has led to the cropping intensity rising from around 0.9 to 1.6, enabling farmers to grow more, earn more, and break the cycles of poverty. Over 125,000 people have gained access to safe drinking water, improving health and quality of life. And, more than 500,000 people benefit from Sri Lanka’s first digital agro-meteorological advisory system, which disseminates climate information, turning their disaster risks into resilience. These collective successes reflect a holistic approach to climate adaptation, improving both environmental sustainability and quality of life for rural Sri Lankans.

Speaking on the knowledge leadership provided through this symposium, Prof. Terrence Madhujith, Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya, noted, “The lessons emerging from CRIWMP have the potential to transform Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector significantly. The research and practical results presented here clearly demonstrate that this model is not only effective, but also highly replicable, offering a proven pathway not only to a sustainable agricultural transformation, but also rural resilience.”

The Climate Action Symposium underscores that the path to a climate-resilient future requires inclusive, collective action. By uniting a diverse array of stakeholders, the event aims to inspire a new era of climate innovation, collaboration, and local stewardship.