The Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to Thailand E.A.S. Wijayanthi Edirisinghe participated in and chaired the 421st Session of the Advisory Committee of Permanent Representatives (ACPR) held at the United Nations premises in Bangkok. The invitation to chair the final ACPR session of the year reflected Sri Lanka’s active engagement with the United Nations system in the region.
The session commenced with opening remarks by the Executive Secretary of UNESCAP Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, who outlined the Organization’s work across the Asia-Pacific region. She emphasized that in 2025, UNESCAP strengthened regional cooperation to advance inclusive and sustainable development, with a focus on supporting LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS. She highlighted initiatives in disaster risk reduction, sustainable urban development, digital and paperless trade, migration, civil registration and vital statistics, climate action, green growth, financing for development, and subregional cooperation.
Delegations, including those from the United Kingdom, the United States, Russia, Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, Mongolia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan, commended UNESCAP’s contributions in areas such as disaster risk reduction, climate action, environmental protection, urban development, and sustainable development.
During the session, the representative of Azerbaijan briefed participants on preparations for the eighty-second session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, scheduled for 20–24 April 2026 in Baku. The session was scheduled to include a ministerial segment, a general debate on opportunities and solutions for a sustainable future, deliberations on the theme “Leaving no one behind: Advancing a society for all ages in Asia and the Pacific,” and meetings of the Special Body on LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS. Sub regional perspectives and a dialogue with heads of sub regional organizations and senior officials will be held on 22 and 23 April 2026.
The session concluded with Sri Lanka hosting participants to traditional Sri Lankan cuisine, reflecting the country’s hospitality and cultural heritage.
Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka
Bangkok
26 December 2025
