News
Lanka hosts Global Climate Promise Exchange Workshop
Sharing experiences on NDC implementation in partnership with Japan
Sixteen countries from Africa, Europe and Central Asia, Africa and Arab State regions gathered in Colombo, yesterday, for a global exchange workshop on climate action. The gathering will last until March 7. The aim of the workshop is for countries to share best practices, celebrate achievements and explore lessons learned from their work.
With the support of the Government of Japan, the United Nations Development Programme has assisted developing countries in translating their national climate pledges (also known as their Nationally Determined Contributions, or NDCs) into tangible actions since 2021. The funding is implemented through UNDP’s flagship initiative, Climate Promise.
Speaking on Japan’s contribution, Katsuki Kotaro, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Japan to Sri Lanka, noted that “we welcome the workshop involving 16 countries, including Sri Lanka, aimed at supporting decarbonization and climate adaptation efforts in developing nations, to be held through Japan’s supplementary budget. We anticipate that initiatives contributing to Green Transformation facilitated by Japanese companies’ technologies and participation will not only support climate goals but also aid Sri Lanka’s economic recovery. We express our renewed respect to Kubota Azusa, Resident Representative of UNDP in Sri Lanka, for her efforts in implementing this project and organizing the workshop and look forward to continued collaboration in the future.”
During the workshop, countries will also share lessons learned on leveraging funding from Japan to advance their NDCs towards net-zero emissions and climate-resilient development.
“The Climate Promise has been a catalytic tool for UNDP to support Sri Lanka with its ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 14.5 percent by 2030,” said Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative of UNDP in Sri Lanka. “We are honoured to host this global event in Colombo to facilitate sharing of experiences and knowledge across countries and for UNDP to lay a strategic foundation to support counties towards the 3rd generation of NDCs.”
The workshop provides a crucial platform to explore key areas of climate action, including just transition, sustainable agriculture practices, clean energy and transport, adaptation, and more. Around 40 participants will share knowledge, field experiences, challenges, and solutions from their respective countries, emphasizing the importance of fostering partnerships and enhancing visibility efforts.
Dr Anil Jasinghe, Senior Additional Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Climate Change Office, Presidential Secretariat noted that, “Initiatives such as ‘Climate Promise’ are crucial for countries like Sri Lanka to accelerate our journey towards reaching climate action targets…On behalf of the Government and the Japan funded Climate promise project implementing countries present here, I would like to take this opportunity to thank UNDP and the Government of Japan for initiating these timely, crucial development projects and supporting countries to transition towards green development pathway.”
In 2022, under the second phase of the Japan Supplementary Budget (JSB) USD 23.6 million were allocated to support the implementation of the NDC goals in 16 countries across Africa, Europe and Central Asia, Africa, and Arab State regions.
In 2021, UNDP launched a new phase of Climate Promise – From Pledge to Impact – aimed at translating NDC targets into concrete action. Japan is the largest supporter of this phase and joins longstanding partners such as Germany, Sweden, the European Union, Spain, and Italy and new partners such as the United Kingdom, Belgium, Iceland, and Portugal to accelerate these efforts.
UNDP’s flagship Climate Promise initiative has supported 85 percent of all developing country NDC submissions during the latest revision cycle, 91 percent of which raised mitigation ambition and 93 percent of which raised adaptation ambition. Nearly 95 percent of all NDCs supported included gender equality considerations and referenced youth inclusion. The revised NDCs also had higher-quality data and analysis.
News
Prime Minister of Sri Lanka holds a bilateral meeting with Minister for Education and Skills Development of Bhutan
On the sidelines of the inaugural Global Conscious Food Systems Summit 2026, being held in Bhutan from 31 August to 4 September 2026, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, in her capacity as Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, held a productive bilateral meeting with Yeezang De Thapa, Minister for Education and Skills Development of Bhutan, on 03 September 2026.
The discussions focused on further strengthening and expanding Sri Lanka-Bhutan cooperation in the education sector, with particular emphasis on developing mutually beneficial initiatives through enhanced Government-to-Government engagement.
Both sides underscored the importance of deepening institutional cooperation and exploring new avenues for collaboration in education, higher education and vocational training, with a view to creating greater opportunities for students, educators and academic institutions of both countries.
During the meeting, both sides agreed to initiate discussions towards the finalization and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the fields of education and vocational training. It was also agreed that the implementation of the MoU could be facilitated through the establishment of a Joint Working Group, headed at the Secretary level, with meetings to be convened annually to review progress, identify new areas of cooperation, and facilitate the effective implementation of agreed activities.
The major areas of cooperation discussed included enhancing collaboration among universities and academic institutions, promoting academic and faculty exchanges, joint research and university programmes, strengthening training and capacity-building opportunities for educators and teachers, and sharing expertise and best practices in the education and vocational training sectors.
The two sides also discussed strengthening child protection and safeguarding mechanisms, promoting ethical values among students, and addressing violence against children while ensuring their safety, protection, well-being and access to quality education.
Opportunities for Bhutanese students to pursue undergraduate studies at universities in Sri Lanka were also discussed, with particular emphasis on Dentistry, Medicine (MBBS), and allied health disciplines such as Physiotherapy. The discussions further covered opportunities for postgraduate studies in medical and health sciences at Sri Lankan universities, as well as enhanced collaboration among universities and other academic institutions of the two countries.
The meeting provided a valuable opportunity for Sri Lanka and Bhutan to advance cooperation in education and vocational training and explore new avenues for long-term collaboration for the mutual benefit of students, educators and academic institutions of both countries.
(Prime Minister’s Media Division)
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya had an audience with His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck at the Tashichhodzong in Thimphu on September 02, during her official visit to the Kingdom of Bhutan.
The cordial discussion focused on Bhutan’s future development priorities and opportunities for cooperation between the two countries.
His Majesty expressed Bhutan’s interest in drawing on Sri Lanka’s experiences and expertise in areas relevant to its development plans. The discussion also focused on promoting investment between the two countries, including the possibility of establishing an investment zone in Bhutan.
The two sides also exchanged views on demographic challenges facing Bhutan, including the increasing migration of young people and its impact on the country’s population and future workforce.
The meeting highlighted the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation and sharing experiences and best practices in support of the sustainable development of both countries.
(Prime Minister’s Media Division)
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).
Namal Rajapaksa had been summoned by CIABOC to provide a statement in connection with investigations into the controversial Airbus deal. He was subsequently arrested by CIABOC after recording his statement for over 5 hours.
Prime Minister of Sri Lanka holds a bilateral meeting with Minister for Education and Skills Development of Bhutan
Prime Minister Meets His Majesty the King of Bhutan
Kusal Mendis, Binura Fernando ruled out of T20I series in England
SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa arrested by CIABOC
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