State Minister of Energy H.H.A.D.I. Anuruddha led the Sri Lanka Delegation to the Third Asian and Pacific Energy Forum from 19 to 20 October 2023 at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) in Bangkok, Thailand.
After the opening remarks made by Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy of Thailand Pirapan Salirathavibhaga delivered special remarks at the inauguration.
Delivering the country statement, State Minister Anuruddha stated that Sri Lanka is committed to reach the target of 70% of electricity generation through renewable energy sources by 2030 and net carbon neutrality by 2050. Further he highlighted the importance of transiting fossil-based fuel to renewable energy sources to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change and as the invariable energy is interlinked with the environmental, social and geo political paradigm, all the regional countries should pay attention to work collectively to ensure security in the region and between regions. At the 03rd Asian and Pacific Energy Forum, State Minister Anuruddha was elected as one of the vice chairs. He was also a panel member at the High-level panel discussion on building a secure, sustainable, and interconnected energy future for Asia and the Pacific.
On the sidelines of the forum, State Minister Anuruddha held bilateral discussions with the Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation Sergei Mochalnikov. He also had discussions with the Thai investors and invited them to invest in the renewable energy sector in Sri Lanka.
The delegation comprised of Ambassador of Sri Lanka and Permanent Representative to UNESCAP, C. A. Chaminda I. Colonne, First Secretary/Deputy Permanent Representative to UNESCAP A.W.S Samanmali, First Secretary (Commercial)/Deputy Permanent Representative to UNESCAP Vireshika Bandara and the Private Secretary to the State Minister of Power and Energy Eng. S.K. Liyanage.
Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka
Bangkok
30 October 2023
