Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunneththi has represented Sri Lanka at the Annual Meeting of the New Champions hosted by the World Economic Forum in China. 

This year’s forum, titled “Entrepreneurship for a New Era”, is being held in Tianjin, China, from 24-26 June. 

On the sidelines of the forum, Minister Sunil Handunneththi met the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh, and a member of the People’s Representative Council of Indonesia, Rahayu Saraswati. (Newswire)

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Channels of communication must remain open if the world wants to achieve peace and stability, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said at the World Economic Forum’s Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development.

Taking to ‘X’, Minister Sabry revealed he was part of the panel on North to South, East to West: Rebuilding Trust during the two-day special meeting of the World Economic Forum. 

“During the discussion, I emphasized that to rebuild trust between the global north and south, the global north must walk the talk. Peace and stability lead to development & prosperity and competing powers must keep the channels of communication open,” Minister Sabry said. 

Minister Ali Sabry spoke alongside the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Faisal bin Farhan, Qian Liu from The Economist Group, President of the World Economic Forum Børge Brende, and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell Fontelles. 

The Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development brings together the world’s top academics, politicians, business, youth, and civil society leaders to engage in addressing the most pressing issues on the global agenda. (Newswire)

If the world wants to achieve peace and stability, channels of communication must remain open, says @alisabrypc at #SpecialMeeting24. pic.twitter.com/9505DjUVOP

— World Economic Forum (@wef) April 28, 2024

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Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry is set to attend the World Economic Forum’s Special Meeting on Global Cooperation, Growth and Energy for Development to be held in Saudi Arabia.

According to the Foreign Ministry, Minister Sabry is scheduled to leave for Saudi Arabia to attend the event which will be held in Riyadh from 28-29 April 2024.

Convened by the World Economic Forum, the Special Meeting is expected to bring together leaders from diverse sectors and industries to inspire a comprehensive dialogue on the most urgent and complex issues of the day. 

During the visit, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry will join as a panellist in two Sessions, namely “Building the Urban Future” and “North to South, East to West: Rebuilding Trust”.

On the sidelines, the Foreign Minister is expected to have bilateral meetings with his counterparts from several countries, including Saudi Arabia, the host country. 

Minister Ali Sabry will also meet the Sri Lankan community in Riyadh and visit the Sri Lankan International School in Riyadh. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka’s Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development, Jeevan Thondaman has been recognised as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. 

The World Economic Forum announced Minister Thondaman’s selection on Thursday (Apr 04), highlighting his role in improving access to clean water and advocating for social justice. 

Issuing a statement, the Ministry of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development said this recognition is significant as Minister Thondaman becomes the first-ever Minister in Sri Lankan history to be selected as a YGL.

Since taking office last year, Minister Thondaman has led several initiatives aimed at improving the living conditions of historically marginalised communities, advocating for social justice, and spearheading reforms in the water sector to ensure access to safe and affordable drinking water for all Sri Lankans. His dedication to public service and his innovative approach to leadership have made a substantial impact at the national level and are now recognised on the global stage through this selection.

The YGL Community is a unique, multi-stakeholder community of more than 1,000 exceptional young leaders who share a commitment to shaping the global future. Being selected as a Young Global Leader is a testament to Minister Thondaman’s vision, leadership qualities, and his relentless pursuit of equality and sustainability.

The Ministry further congratulated Minister Thondaman on this achievement and supported his ongoing efforts to use this opportunity to further the nation’s development goals, encourage youth empowerment, and enhance Sri Lanka’s presence on the global stage.

“Minister Thondaman’s selection as a Young Global Leader underscores his role as a dynamic and progressive force in politics, both domestically and internationally. It highlights the potential for impactful leadership and the importance of collective efforts in building a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous future for all,” the ministry added.

Minister Thondaman’s inclusion in the Young Global Leaders programme comes as a recognition of his commitment to public service, focusing on improving living standards and advancing rights for marginalised communities in Sri Lanka.

The Young Global Leaders programme identifies promising leaders under 40 who are shaping the future. Past inductees include prominent figures like French President Emmanuel Macron, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Ali Baba founder and technology entrepreneur Jack Ma and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. 

Commenting on his recognition, Minister Thondaman thanked the World Economic Forum and outlined his plans to use the platform to foster international collaboration and promote entrepreneurship, particularly among Sri Lanka’s youth. 

“This recognition is not just a reflection of my journey, but it stands as a testament to the resilience and spirit of the people of Sri Lanka. I am committed to leveraging this platform to foster greater international collaboration and drive forward our shared goals for sustainable development and equality,” Minister Thondaman said in a statement. (NewsWire)

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“No one is safe until everyone is safe,” Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said commenting on Sri Lanka’s debt sustainability and economic crisis.

The Foreign Minister stated that the financial crisis has affected the allocation of funding for several essential areas, such as education, climate change, and sustainable and renewable energy.

Stating that countries, such as Sri Lanka are grappling with interest and debt payments, he stated this has limited the allocation of funds for other sustainable development goals. 

“This is affecting the whole world. It is a cascading effect. You cannot say I am safe within one’s borders. This is a globalized world,” he stated.

Minister Sabry also emphasized that everyone must work together and think about this issue. 

“Whatever you do you need to get a new market looking for growth. That market may come from the developing world or emerging economies. This is interconnected and intertwined all over the globe. I think that’s an area we need more attention,” he added.

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry made the remarks while participating in the 2023 Annual Meeting of the New Champions held in Tianjin, China. (NewsWire) 

"Nobody is safe until everybody is safe. " @alisabrypc, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, at #amnc23 in Tianjin, China.

Watch the full session here: https://t.co/HAVcGpdyAu pic.twitter.com/kRGNv4kA1k

— World Economic Forum (@wef) June 28, 2023

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