September 22, 2023
2 mins read

Lanka Calls for Attention to Climate Change, Debt Relief, and Sustainable Development

He asserted that global power conflicts are adding economic uncertainty, disrupting supply chains and causing inflation, food, and energy insecurity worldwide…reports Asian Lite News

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Thursday that countries like Sri Lanka find it hard to remain neutral and non-aligned amidst superpowers’ rivalries and new alliances.

“Neutral nations like Sri Lanka in the global South find themselves caught between shifting global power dynamics,” President Wickremesinghe said while addressing the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.  

He asserted that global power conflicts are adding economic uncertainty, disrupting supply chains and causing inflation, food, and energy insecurity worldwide. 

“The war in Ukraine has far-reaching and severe financial and humanitarian repercussions on food, hunger and debt in all parts of the world including Sri Lanka. It is recalled that the UN Charter vests on powerful states in the Security Council the responsibility to maintain international peace and security and to deescalate rather than ignite conflict,” Wickremesinghe said. 

“We need to halt the momentum where this and other big power tensions are spilling over into established areas of international rules-based cooperation forged over decades of multilateral negotiation, ranging from international trade to ocean governance,” he added.

Wickremesinghe also pointed out that despite promises of assistance by rich countries in the area of climate change mitigation which impacts countries such as Sri Lanka, “rich countries have not been delivering to expectations”.

“While key issues such as the Bridgetown Initiative and the necessity to address the debt of low-income countries are being discussed in this Assembly, it is not commanding the attention it deserves,” he said.

“Unfortunately, the Security Council has failed to give priority to these connected issues of climate change, debt relief and sustainable development. This impacts the future of mankind. The survival of the planet must be our priority, we cannot afford to go into this war with a divided high command. The future of all species on the globe is dependent on our ability to put aside our rivalries until this crisis is solved,” he added. 

Sri Lanka’s head of state also pledged before the UNGA that his country is committed to climate action. 

ALSO READ-Indian Navy ship to provide training to Lankan divers

Previous Story

Sanjay Verma Criticizes Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine at UN Debate

Next Story

Lanka Thanks India for Continued Support During Economic Crisis

Latest from -Top News

Pakistan’s Shadow War in Balochistan

At least 50 killed by Pakistan-backed death squads in Balochistan in April, says HRCB — toll expected to rise in May….reports Asian Lite News The Human Rights Council of Balochistan (HRCB) reported

Russia, Ukraine Resume Talks

The upcoming talks follow a significant hiatus in diplomatic engagement between the two nations, which have been locked in a brutal conflict since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 Russia and

UN Pays Tribute to Indian Soldiers

Thursday was observed as the 77th UN Peacekeepers Day, honouring the work of 61,353 peacekeepers, of whom 5,375 hailed from India….reports Asian Lite News Brigadier Amitabh Jha and Havildar Sanjay Singh, who

Modi’s New Warfare Playbook

Modi has upended the old playbook and India and Pakistan are entering dangerous new territory where nuclear deterrence is no longer a guarantee against conventional conflict…writes Collins Chong Yew Keat The India-Pakistan
Go toTop

Don't Miss

SL to ease regulations over foreign earnings conversion

The Central Bank is also planning to give relaxation to

UNGA President Urges Urgent Reform of Security Council

At September’s annual high-level debate, council reform was a common