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Asian Development Bank hosts workshop on climate and disaster risk resilient development
View(s):By Tharushi Weerasinghe
Last Wednesday, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) conducted a two-day National Inception Workshop at the ITC Ratnadeepa to launch a regional technical assistance programme focused on “Sustaining Climate and Disaster Risk Resilient and Low Carbon Development in South Asia.”
Known as the TA9700, the programme is a collaboration between ADB, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Environment. Sri Lanka is one of six countries supported by TA9700.
The panellists at the workshop. Pic by Priyanka Samaraweera
The workshop hosted government officials on the first day. It was followed by relevant non-state sector stakeholders on the second, including representatives from NGOs, CSOs, private sector entities, academia, and development partners.
Speaking at the event ADB Country Director Takafumi Kadono noted that climate change was an overarching development challenge to Sri Lanka that seriously affects economic growth, food security, public health, cultural heritage, social stability, migration, and even national security. “Sri Lanka is a negligible contributor to global warming, but, as a nation, we are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change,” he said, adding that addressing climate change should take on a priority that is fully integrated into all efforts to develop Sri Lanka.
While reaffirming the ADB’s commitment to securing a just transition for Sri Lanka’s development processes, Mr. Kadono held that a strong commitment from the Government of Sri Lanka and “unwavering” cooperation among partners would be vital to seeing it through.
“ADB will fully support the Government of Sri Lanka through our sovereign and private sector operations, technical assistance, and knowledge partnerships,” he said, referring to the ADB’s Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) for Sri Lanka for the period 2024-2028. The CPS focuses on supporting Sri Lanka’s recovery from its economic crisis, aiming to restore macroeconomic stability and foster long-term sustainable growth.
The three strategic objectives are 1) strengthening Public Financial Management (PFM) and Governance, 2) Fostering Private Sector Development for Green Growth, and 3) Improving Access to Climate-smart Public Services. “ADB will also integrate cross-cutting priorities into its projects, such as climate action, disaster resilience, gender equality, and digitalisation.”
Mr. Kadono noted that implementing climate-responsive investments in the current environment would be challenging, primarily due to limited fiscal space due to various internal and external shocks. Still, he held that this made the need for a shared vision, clear strategy and a robust investment plan even more urgent.
He claimed that through TA9700, ADB will support the government of Sri Lanka to prepare an integrated climate-responsive investment plan which will identify a pipeline of bankable investment opportunities that can be transformed into full-scale ready-to-invest projects focused on climate change adaptation and resilient building. The workshop begins a series of consultations that will take place in the lead-up to establishing these goals.
Rohan T. Cooray, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management Consultant in the South Asia Department, ADB, is leading the research on this project for the ABD, along with a team of experts in various field elements.
The proposed integrated climate-responsive investment plan will outline priority investment solutions necessary for achieving the country’s climate goals as detailed in its NAPs and NDCs. This plan will be embedded within medium-term planning frameworks to mobilise solutions and financing for implementing climate-responsive investments.
In a document released to the participants, the ADB stated that if resources are adequate within the stipulated timeline, TA9700 will assist the government with pre-feasibility studies for selected priority projects while formulating a Sri Lanka-specific climate change operational roadmap for ADB use. Additionally, it stated that this technical assistance will foster synergies among ongoing climate actions across the country and coordinate with other development partners.
The event hosted speakers from various government divisions, including the Environment Ministry, the Ministry of Irrigation, the Tourism Development Board, Wildlife Conservation, the Agriculture Ministry, the National Physical Planning Department, and ADB experts from its regional offices—resident missions of the United Nations, representatives from its development agencies, and other civil society organisations were also in attendance over the two days.
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