The Sri Lanka delegation led by the Ambassador and the Permanent Representative to UNESCAP, Chaminda Colonne, participated at the 7th Asian Pacific Population Conference from 15-17 November 2023 at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) in Bangkok, Thailand.
Opening remarks were delivered by the Executive Secretary of UNESCAP Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana while the, Minister of Social Development and Human Security of the Kingdom of Thailand Varawut Silpa-achra delivered the keynote address.
Delivering the country statement, , the Director General of Health Services of the Ministry of Health of Sri Lanka Dr. Asela Gunawardane stated that as a nation, Sri Lanka has achieved gender parity in education and that efforts are being taken to promote gender equality in labour. He also stated that Sri Lanka is also introducing steps to mitigate challenges related to the rapidly aging population in the country and the full potential of Sri Lanka’s population is tapped. It was further stated that Sri Lanka has set up institutional mechanisms, including legal reforms enabling the integration of women into the workforce.
The Director General of Health Services of Sri Lanka contributed as a panelist at a round table discussion on achievements, challenges, gaps and emerging issues in the implementation of the Asian and Pacific Ministerial Declaration on Population and Development.
The Sri Lanka delegation comprised of Director General, Department of National Planning R.H.W.A. Kumarasiri, Additional Director General, Department of Census and Statistics Shyamalie Deepika, and officials of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Bangkok.
