KOICA Pledges 65 million Dollars to Climate Change Mitigation in Sri Lanka

Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Government of Sri Lanka jointly endorsed the KOICA’s Climate Change Response Programme (CCRP) on Wednesday (11).

In a press release KOICA said it has been developing CCRP in collaboration with the Korea Institute of Development Strategy (KDS) since early 2024. The objective of CCRP is to ‘Promote the Transition to a Low-Carbon Society in Sri Lanka through Innovative, Sustainable, and Circular Approaches in Key Emission Reduction Sectors’. The launch event was graced by the participation of dignitaries representing a multitude organization, both from the Sri Lankan Government, Bi-Lateral and Multi-Lateral Development partners.

Below are excerpts of the press conference: “The proposed CCRP phase 1 is covering five years from 2026-2030 with an indicative budget worth 65 million USD. The CCRP is designed to effectively respond to Sri Lanka’s top climate priorities, serving as a guiding framework for project development and design in collaboration with the government. Additionally, it provides a platform for collaboration with other donor agencies, ensuring alignment towards shared strategic goals in combating climate change.

“The KOICA and KDS teams have been engaging in a collaborative consultation process involving the key stakeholders from multiple sectors related to the climate change avenue in Sri Lanka. The team engaged the Sri Lankan Government at both high and working levels during the programme development period by forming a Programme Management Steering Committee and sector-wise Project Development Committees. KOICA also held discussions with bilateral and multi-lateral international organizations who are active in the field to gauge the current donor engagement.

“The CCRP is in alignment with Sri Lanka’s current Climate Response Policies; Vision 2030, NDCs, and Carbon Net Zero 2050. Due consideration has also been given to the global trends in climate change when developing this programme. It identifies three main areas for intervention in Sri Lanka, namely; Renewable Energy, Sustainable Transport, and E Waste Management. Each sector’s current status major challenges have been detailed in the concept note.

“In its core, the team has modeled the programme around seeking solutions to three key problems across the areas identified, namely; the insufficient legal policy and institutional framework, limited knowledge and capacity in institutions and personnel, and lack of green infrastructure, technology, and syste

“The programme goes on to elaborate further on the possible means of interventions within KOICA’s implementation framework modalities including technical cooperation, grant projects as well as possible private sector engagement.

“During the launch, the Director Generals of the Departments of External Resources and National Planning and the Country Director of the KOICA Sri Lanka Office, all endorsed the programme.

“Sharing her remarks, KOICA Country Director- KIM Myung Jin stated that “The world is increasingly struggling with the impacts of rapid climate change, and Sri Lanka, unfortunately is highly vulnerable to it in support of its mitigation, KOICA Sri Lanka Office wants to undertake a pivotal role to mitigate climate crisis in Sri Lanka” The Country Director further remarked that they have supported Sri Lanka for 30 years and they want to pledge another 30 years of support to Sri Lanka”

“On behalf on the Government of Sri Lanka, The Additional Director General of the National Planning Department Y.P Sumanawathi thanked KOICA for their continued support to Sri Lanka. She also remarked that KOICA’s programme has identified crucial areas in the Sri Lankan climate change sector and that their integrated approach in addressing mitigation is exactly what Sri Lanka requires.

“Representing the leading Development partner in the field Deputy Country Representative of UNDP, Malin Herwig also addressed the gathering and remarked that they have recognized Sri Lanka’s needs and assured continued collaboration to KOICA in the implementation of the Climate Change Response Programme emphasizing that at the implementation stage, they will be able to complement KOICA’s effort at a greater level.

The CCRP will be endorsed by the participants of the Programme Management Steering Committee and will serve as the guidepost in KOICA’s aid to Sri Lanka in the upcoming cycles. “