President Wickremesinghe Champions Climate Change Collaboration at South Asia Hydromet Forum IV

February 07, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe welcomed participants to the South Asia Hydromet Forum (SAHF) IV in Colombo, Sri Lanka, expressing the nation’s dedication to tackling Climate Change (CC) through collaborative efforts both regionally and internationally. The inaugural session at the Galle Face Hotel on February 6, themed ‘Unlocking Regional Synergies,’ saw President Wickremesinghe addressing key issues of adaptation and mitigation in the fight against CC.

Highlighting Sri Lanka’s commitment to supporting regional initiatives in CC mitigation and adaptation, President Wickremesinghe outlined significant steps, including the establishment of an international CC university. This university aims to provide postgraduate education and training for officials from various countries, contributing to a collective response to climate challenges.

President Wickremesinghe also proposed the creation of a tropical belt as a carbon sink, a concept discussed during COP 28 in Dubai. Emphasizing the importance of private sector investment in sustainable development projects within this region, he underlined the potential impact of these initiatives in combating CC.

Addressing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crises, President Wickremesinghe outlined Sri Lanka’s plans to enhance its meteorological organizations. He stressed the necessity of a comprehensive Hydromet regional network to effectively address CC-related challenges, particularly in South Asia.

The ongoing SAHF Forum, scheduled until February 8, aims to facilitate discussions and collaborations on Hydrology and Meteorology-related initiatives in South Asia. Initiated in 2018, SAHF connects National Meteorological and Hydrological Service providers (NMHSs) from the region, promoting data and knowledge exchange to address technical challenges and enhance collaboration.

President Wickremesinghe, underscoring the urgent need for action, drew attention to the economic repercussions of CC, citing potential GDP losses of up to 2% in low-income countries. He emphasized the necessity of establishing a regional network to facilitate collective action and announced plans to establish a panel of experts to conduct in-depth studies on proposed initiatives.

Highlighting collaborative efforts within the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), President Wickremesinghe proposed potential funding mechanisms, including the establishment of a loss and damage fund. He suggested exploring alternative avenues, such as debt relief for countries investing in climate mitigation efforts within the tropical belt, to harness the potential of this region for global carbon reduction.

President Wickremesinghe concluded with optimism, expressing hope that the discussions at the Forum would lead to innovative solutions and initiatives in the region’s fight against CC. He urged participants to contribute their ideas and expertise to ongoing projects aimed at CC mitigation and adaptation.

SAHF Co-Chair Karma Dupchu, Director of the National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology in Bhutan, along with other distinguished participants, convened at the Forum to further discussions on Hydrology and Meteorology-related initiatives in South Asia.