Lankan envoy in Thailand emphasises climate resilience and trade integration in BIMSTEC region

Sri Lankan Ambassador to Thailand Wijayanthi Edirisinghe

Sri Lankan Ambassador to Thailand Wijayanthi Edirisinghe recently attended a high-level event on regional trade and agricultural transformation in Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) countries, as a guest speaker.

The event was organised by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in collaboration with BIMSTEC and the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS). It was a valuable platform for experts, policymakers, and diplomats to tackle pressing issues related to agricultural trade, food security and climate resilience in the BIMSTEC region.

Ambassador Edirisinghe highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in addressing the vulnerabilities faced by BIMSTEC nations. She stated that for millions of farmers, agriculture is not just a livelihood, but a way of life, therefore a coordinated regional approach is crucial to mitigate climate risks and ensure the resilience of food systems. She also emphasised that Sri Lanka is committed to promoting sustainable agricultural practices that support smallholder farmers and adopt climate smart solutions.

Other distinguished speakers at the event were Agricultural Economics Research Association of India President P.K. Joshi, Food and Agriculture Organisation’s Asia-Pacific Regional Office Special Adviser to the Assistant Director General and Regional Representative Robert Simpson, Former Commerce Secretary of India Anup Wadhawan, India External Affairs Ministry Joint Secretary (BIMSTEC and SAARC) C.S.R. Ram, and the Ambassador of Bangladesh to Thailand Faiyaz Murshid Kazi, and Sri Lankan Embassy Counsellor – Commercial Vireshika Bandara also joined the event.

The discussions underscored the critical role of agricultural trade in tackling food and nutrition security, reducing poverty and enhancing climate resilience across the region. The insights and recommendations of the speakers provided a roadmap for future efforts aimed at fostering sustainable growth and stronger regional integration in the BIMSTEC region.