Sri Lanka to launch Climate Justice Forum at UN Climate change conference

Sri Lanka will launch the Climate Justice Forum (CJF) for the vulnerable and developing countries at the 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28) at the upcoming 2023 UN Climate Change Conference, Minister of Environment Naseer Ahamed stated.

Addressing a press conference the Minister said that Sri Lanka has proposed the establishment of a CJF with the common objective of ensuring greater climate justice and accelerating the financing of losses and damages and providing an alternative and non-traditional approach.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme will host the fifth Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of Asia Pacific (5th AP Forum) which will take place from 3rd to 6th October 2023 in Colombo.

The Forum will provide a platform for governments, intergovernmental organizations, and  other stakeholders to discuss and prioritize environmental issues in the Asia Pacific region,  the Minister mentioned.

The Minister expressed these views today (06) during a press conference themed ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country’ held at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC).

Further, attention has been paid to the development of Dambulla and Hiriwadduna ecotourism sites as eco-tourism destinations.

In addition to the Gazette notification that was issued on March 31, 2021, for banning some single-use plastic items, plastic garlands, single-use spoons, forks, yoghurt/ice cream spoons, plastic straws, stirrers, spoons and plastic string hopper trays will be banned within the next couple of weeks.

The CEA with the participation of the relevant stakeholder institutions has already prepared a contingency responsive action plan to report the air quality calamity situation of the country, Minister Ahamed stated.

The Ministry of Environment is also preparing a National Policy on electricity and electronic waste management.