FCCISL leads private sector in climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction

FCCISL Secretary General Ajith D. Perera addressing the gathering. Seated from left: UNDP Consultant Chopadithya Edirisinghe, Ministry of Provincial Agriculture Secretary Vijitha Bandara and Wayamba Chamber of Commerce Director General T.G.U.B. Thambugala

A multi-stakeholder consultation meeting was held on 22 December at Kandyan Reach Hotel Kurunegala to share the lessons and recommendations of the road map developed by Ministry of Disaster Management and UNDP with Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) on private sector engagement in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. 

Around 40 stakeholders participated in the program and the opening remarks were delivered by Vijitha Bandara, Secretary, Ministry of Provincial Agriculture, explaining the importance of working both private and public sector on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. 

Speaking at the workshop FCCISL Secretary General Ajith D. Perera explained that they are committed to ensure private sector engagement in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adoption (CCA). Further he mentioned that FCCISL hoped to establish a DRR/CCA unit at the Federation office in 2017 to increase resilience of private sector to face natural disasters and climate change. He also highlighted the importance of having business continuity plans for the SME sector in Sri Lanka to face natural disasters and climate change.

During the discussion, the proposed agriculture marketing program of climate change adaptation was explained to the audience. Thereafter, a discussion was initiated on how to engage the private sector of the North Western Province on DRR and CCA through small group discussions and finally group findings were shared among the large group.

A key finding from the group discussions was ‘Developing mutual understanding between private sector and the Government sector prior to any activity’ and few stakeholders have identified in relation to the agriculture sector such as plantation companies, chambers, insurance companies, etc. under private sector organisations and under Government sector organisations, Provincial Agriculture Department, DAD, Irrigation Department, etc., were identified.

Ultimately all the stakeholders agreed that this needed to be further developed and make avenues to private sector to engage in DRR and CCA in a more proactive manner rather than in a reactive manner.