Chairman of Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), Ban Ki-moon has expressed appreciation for the close partnership with Sri Lanka and assured efforts to reinforce the longstanding amicable relations between Sri Lanka and GGGI and to explore opportunities to fortify bilateral ties across various sectors.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Ban Ki-moon expressed these views during a discussion held with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in Seoul, South Korea.

“The Government of Sri Lanka is in the process of transitioning to a greener, inclusive, and more resilient economy through interventions on renewable energy, sustainable transport, and creating our cities greener,” Prime Minister Gunawardena said in his talks with the former Secretary General of the United Nations in Seoul last week (Apr 04).

He further said that as an island country, Sri Lanka is extremely vulnerable to climate impacts and has to take urgent actions to protect its people and ecosystems from those impacts.

“I am pleased that we have established a strong partnership with GGGI to support these green growth efforts by the government,” he said.

GGGI Chairman Ban Ki-moon said that he sincerely appreciates the close partnership GGGI enjoys working with the Government of Sri Lanka, including the Ministry of Environment and the common drive to a green and sustainable future.

“As a passionate advocate for the climate agenda, I am pleased that our collaborative efforts will help build resilience and strengthen adaptation in the face of climate change, at both the national and local levels,” he added.

The PM’s Office added that the discussion between the two officials has taken place during PM Gunawardena’s recent visit to South Korea.

Currently, GGGI is supporting the Government of Sri Lanka in building resilience to climate change by updating its national adaptation plan and developing Sri Lanka’s first full set of provincial adaptation plans with embedded investment plans in key sectors. GGGI is also supporting Sri Lanka in accessing and mobilizing innovative climate financing, adopting sustainable public transport services for low-carbon development, strengthening the sustainability of the tea industry, and exploring utility-scale solar energy projects.

The GGGI added that future collaborations to accelerate Sri Lanka’s green growth transition will be a good way forward. The Government of Sri Lanka will expand its green projects to infrastructure sectors and is also considering the possibility of issuing green bonds.

Sri Lanka joined GGGI as a Member in 2019. Sri Lanka was elected as Vice President of the Assembly and Vice Chair of the Council of GGGI in October 2022. GGGI is hosted by the Ministry of Environment at the Climate Change Secretariat and Policy Planning Division.