7 February 2023, Colombo, Sri Lanka – The Government of Sri Lanka and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) signed a Host Country Agreement (HCA) progressing Sri Lanka’s climate action.  Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary, Ministry of Environment of Sri Lanka and Dr. Frank Rijsberman Director General of GGGI signed the HCA enabling Government of Sri Lanka and GGGI to more effectively plan and implement green growth initiatives in the country. These initiatives include the implementation of the ongoing National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and Readiness Support project, funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), to enhance capacity and institutions. The project includes the development of provincial adaptation plans and the identification of climate adaptation investments to implement these plans.

The signing ceremony took place at the Presidential Secretariat immediately following a bilateral meeting with His Excellency Ranil Wickremesinghe, President of Sri Lanka and His Excellency Ban Ki-moon, President of the Assembly and Chair of the Council of GGGI, and 8th Secretary General of the United Nations. “Signing the Host Country Agreement between the Government of Sri Lanka and the GGGI is a pivotal moment in our commitment to progress our nation’s climate action and deepen our green growth development. This agreement will enable us to effectively plan and implement initiatives that will strengthen our capacity and institutions and ultimately lead us toward a sustainable and resilient future. I am honored to be a part of this momentous occasion and look forward to a successful partnership with GGGI.” – Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Sri Lanka. The HCA will now be sent to Parliament for ratification.

“What really matters most is the work to help people with accessing clean energy, green jobs, and similar priorities to improve their environments, communities, and daily lives,” His Excellency Ban Ki-moon said. “I sincerely appreciate the close partnership GGGI enjoys working with the Ministry of Environment and the Government of Sri Lanka,” he added.
“GGGI recognizes that addressing the current energy and economic challenges, including debt, are of paramount concern and priority and stands ready to support the Government of Sri Lanka to accelerate green growth, achieve NetZero, and increase climate resilience,” said Dr. Rijsberman. GGGI has jointly identified key areas with the Government of Sri Lanka include utility scale solar energy projects, electric buses, preparation for an energy forest, and strengthening the Government’s capacity to access and mobilize innovative climate financing such as a debt-for-nature-swap transaction. “Under the current circumstances potentially the most important contribution GGGI can make is to develop a debt for nature and/or climate swap, which we believe has the potential of generating 300-500 million USD in green project financing while reducing the country’s debt. We are ready to partner with the Government of Sri Lanka to implement the green transition,” Dr. Rijsberman added.

Sri Lanka joined GGGI as Member in 2019. Sri Lanka was elected as Vice President of the Assembly and Vice Chair of the Council of GGGI in October 2022. GGGI is hosted by the Ministry of Environment at the Climate Change Secretariat and Policy Planning Division.

About the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)
Headquartered in Seoul, Republic of Korea, GGGI is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization – with 45 Members and over 20 countries and regional integration organization(s) in the process of accession – dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies.  With operations in over 30 countries, GGGI serves the role of an enabler and facilitator of Members’ transition into a low-carbon green economy, providing policy advice and technical support in the development of green growth plans, policies and regulations, mobilization of green investments, implementation of green growth projects, and development of local capacities and knowledge sharing. Further information on GGGI’s events, projects and publications can be found on www.gggi.org.

For more information connect with GGGI Seoul HQ communication and knowledge sharing t:  
Communications@gggi.org
+82 10 9530 0358