South Asia’s abundant solar resources present an opportunity to harness clean and sustainable energy for our growing economies, Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne said this week.
“In the face of the magnitude of the challenges posed by climate change in the Asian region, the imperative to transition towards renewable energy sources and promote green finance has never been more urgent.
Renewable energy offers a viable solution to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, and contribute to energy security. The South Asia region’s abundant solar resources offer a great opportunity to achieve these goals”, Defence Secretary Gunaratne said during his keynote address as the Chief Guest at the International Summer School on Climate Change, Green Finance, and Disaster Management in South Asia, at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo on May 15.
The event was organised by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V. /Regional Program Energy Security and Climate Change Asia-Pacific (RECAP) in collaboration with the Consortium of South Asian Think Tanks (COSATT) from Nepal and the Institute of National Security Studies in Sri Lanka on May 16 and 17.
Director, RECAP-KAS, Hong Kong Dr. Frederick Kliem delivered the welcome address.
Gen. Gunaratne emphasised the impacts of climate change in South Asian nations and the need for collaborative action for transition to a sustainable future.
He called for governments, businesses, civil society organisations and academia to work together to develop and implement policies, strategies, and initiatives promoting renewable energy and green finance. Multilateral cooperation and knowledge sharing are crucial to address transboundary environmental challenges and ensure a fair transition for all, he said.
The program was aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of climate change-related challenges facing small countries in the South Asian region.
By focusing on the promotion of renewable energy and fostering wide-ranging knowledge of green finance, particularly among young professionals, the Summer School equipped the participants with the tools needed to address pressing issues effectively. Through a series of engaging sessions and discussions, the program concentrated on the implications of climate change and offered insights into sustainable solutions.
Director General and Acting Director (Research) of INSS and Director Media and Spokesman of the Ministry of Defence Colonel Nalin Herath delivered the vote of thanks.
Experts from Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Maldives, Nepal, German, Pakistan and Sri Lanka were also present.
