Statement by Hon. Mangala Samaraweera, MP Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka High Level Segment of the 22ndSession of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP22)
and 12th Session of the Conference of Parties serving as a Meeting of Parties to the Kyoto Protocol
16 November 2016, Marrakesh, Morocco
H.E. Salaheddine Mezouar, President of COP22 and CMP12
Executive Secretary of UNFCCC
Excellency’s
Distinguished delegates
Ladies and gentlemen
At the outset, let me convey my delegation’s appreciation to the Government and the people of the Kingdom of Morocco for hosting this important Conference and for the warm hospitality extended to us. Let me also convey the best wishes of my President H.E. Maithripala Sirisena.
This Conference is significant as it takes place just days after the entry into force of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change on the 4th of November.
As an island nation, Sri Lanka is deeply conscious of the impacts of Climate Change. In fact, we are facing its adverse impacts already in the form of droughts, unprecedented and rising temperature, floods, unseasonal rain, and coastal erosion.
Mr. President,
Sri Lanka became party to the Paris Climate Agreement in September this year, and we are pleased that the world’s largest economies have become party to this historic Agreement. Their support is needed more than ever for countries around the world to be able to address the threat of climate change which threatens life on this ONE Planet that all of us, rich, poor, small or large, have, to share, and call home.
Our commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement is our best hope to limit rising temperatures that would otherwise have devastating consequences for future generations.
Mr. President,
Sri Lanka, for its part, has taken several initiatives. A National Climate Change Policy, and a National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy have been formulated; and a high-level coordination body led by the President has been setup to align our policies with our international commitments on environmental issues. The portfolio of Environment is held by the President himself to ensure commitment, action and guidance at the highest level of Government, in fact Sri Lanka has launched several climate smart initiatives including implementing sound sustainable energy development programs and reduction of GhG emissions in five main sectors. I.E. Energy, Transport, Industry, Forest and Waste. We have also recently launched a project to conserve mangrove forests which are seen as vital resources for mitigating the effects of climate change. The President of Sri Lanka, even prior to the ratification of the Paris agreement launched the “Sri Lanka next - Blue Green Era” program last December to demonstrate our commitment to the agreement.
Mr. President,
Technology transfer from the developed to developing countries is vital in the quest to combat Climate Change. Sri Lanka therefore adds its voice to those of other developing nations to urge greater access to finance including from the Green Climate Fund. Mitigation and adaptation financing and capacity building are essential and urgent.
Moreover, higher GHG emitters must assist developing countries struggling to meet development needs.
The world today is more conscious than ever that collective action is required to combat Climate Change and meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
I hope that we sustain the momentum and commitment achieved last year through the Paris Climate Agreement and the 2030 Agenda, to stay the course required to address the challenges before us collectively with due diligence and responsibility.
Thank you.
Read More : www.mfa.gov.lk
“Tobacco & alcohol control at top of my national agenda”
President Maithripala Sirisena urged the world community to resist the attempts of the tobacco industry to undermine tobacco control through litigation and interference in government policy-making.
“We know that the industry will try to influence policymakers in many ways, often support petitioners to challenge government legislation and persuade the mass media. This, to me, is a direct interference in the internal policy matters of any country. We need not have any compromise of any kind with the tobacco industry,” stated President Sirisena, delivering the Keynote Address at the Seventh Session of the Conference of Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) held in Noida, India, today (Nov.07).
Our development strategy is to trade successfully with the vibrant market in the Indian Ocean. In this venture, we intend to create a law-abiding economic environment in order to provide a platform for sustainable development. In the present context, Sri Lanka needs no governance, but a good regulation. Hon. Prime Minister said that through liberalization of the economy sustainability could be achieved.
Hon. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said this in the Parliament recently while making a special statement on the present status of the country’s economy, the way forward and future aspirations.
Full Statement made by Hon. Prime Minister in English
Full Statement made by Hon. Prime Minister in Sinhala
Courtesy: www.mnpea.gov.lk
A cross-party Sri Lankan parliamentary delegation led by Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Hon. Nimal Siripala de Silva was hosted by Hon. Christa Markwalder, President of the National Council, Switzerland at the Switzerland National Parliament in Bern on 26 October 2016.
During the official meeting, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva briefed the Swiss delegation regarding the steps taken to strengthen the parliament through constitutional amendments in recent times including the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, paving the way for the establishment of the independent commissions, as well as the proposed Constitution and the electoral reforms currently under deliberation. Noting the close bilateral relations between the two countries, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva called for cooperation between the two parliaments in the years ahead. 
The President of the National Council Ms. Markwalder, welcoming the Sri Lanka delegation recalled her recent successful visit to Sri Lanka and her interactions with the Speaker Karu Jayasuriya and the Parliament. Ms. Markwalder said Switzerland stands ready to assist in strengthening parliamentary democracy in Sri Lanka including providing technology, training and capacity building. The Swiss delegation explained the Swiss parliamentary structure and its functions to the Sri Lanka delegation.
The meeting was followed by an official lunch hosted in honour of the Sri Lankan delegation by Ms. Markwalder.
Members of Parliament Hon. Vijitha Herath, Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna, Hon. Velu Kumar, Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha/Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva and Consul-General to Switzerland, Mr. Dhammika Dasanayake, Secretary General of Parliament and Ms. Shashika Somaratne/Counsellor were associated with Hon. Nimal Siripala de Silva. Mr. Markus Stadler, former Member of the Council of States and Mr. Martin Sturzinger, Senior Advisor, Human Security Division, FDFA, Mr. Claudio Fischer, Ambassador, Head of the International Relations and Multilingual Section, Parliamentary Services and Ms. Nina Wirth, Foreign Policy Advisor, Parliamentary Services were associated with Hon. Christa Markwalder at the discussion.
Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka
Geneva.
29 October 2016
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