Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Statement to Session 20 at HLPF (20th July 2016):
Prospects for the future (projections, scenarios and new and emerging issues)
Uchita de Zoysa (Chief Negotiator for Sri Lanka to HLPF 2016 / Sustainable Development Advisor of the Ministry of
Sustainable Development and Wildlife Sri Lanka)
Thank you Madam Moderator,
1. Projecting emerging trends and building science-technology-innovation-policy interphase must effectively address
the systemic issues ailing the world and help foster a transformation that the 2030 agenda is essentially about.
2. SDGs will only become effective pathways if the transformation is facilitated and fostered with high political
commitment supported by credible information, trusted analysis and genuine solutions.
3. In Sri Lanka, we are raising four scenarios in an attempt to facilitate a more profound discourse towards
comprehending the 2030 transformation challenge;
a. What is the worst case scenario for our nation? Or where should we not be in 2030?
b. What is the ideal scenario or transformation goal of our nation? Or where should we be in 2030?
c. What is the current scenario or the prevailing baseline of our nation? And how do we build accurate
baselines through reliable, credible and accessible information and data?
d. What are the transition scenarios that are necessary to overcome current political challenges and support a
shift away from unsustainable development approaches? Or what are the short-term policy compromises
we need to make in achieving the long-term transformation?
4. We believe that evolving honest scenarios for the above would help us innovate positive new trends rather than
waiting for issues to emerge; positive trends that support low ecological footprints, promote peace and harmony,
while advancing inclusive prosperity.
5. Therefore, we expect the HLPF to take a proactive leadership and ensure that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development takes precedence over other development agenda’s that drive the world towards destruction and
disharmony. In other words, we must have one global agenda and supporting systems focused on achieving
sustainable development.
6. While Sri Lanka is committed towards the transformation, in a globalized world, no country alone can seek
transformation.
7. Hence, we would like to see the HLPF evolving into a proactive platform that can harness equity, solidarity and
coherence amongst all nations, stakeholders and all people.
Thank you!
Prospects for the future (projections, scenarios and new and emerging issues)
Uchita de Zoysa (Chief Negotiator for Sri Lanka to HLPF 2016 / Sustainable Development Advisor of the Ministry of
Sustainable Development and Wildlife Sri Lanka)
Thank you Madam Moderator,
1. Projecting emerging trends and building science-technology-innovation-policy interphase must effectively address
the systemic issues ailing the world and help foster a transformation that the 2030 agenda is essentially about.
2. SDGs will only become effective pathways if the transformation is facilitated and fostered with high political
commitment supported by credible information, trusted analysis and genuine solutions.
3. In Sri Lanka, we are raising four scenarios in an attempt to facilitate a more profound discourse towards
comprehending the 2030 transformation challenge;
a. What is the worst case scenario for our nation? Or where should we not be in 2030?
b. What is the ideal scenario or transformation goal of our nation? Or where should we be in 2030?
c. What is the current scenario or the prevailing baseline of our nation? And how do we build accurate
baselines through reliable, credible and accessible information and data?
d. What are the transition scenarios that are necessary to overcome current political challenges and support a
shift away from unsustainable development approaches? Or what are the short-term policy compromises
we need to make in achieving the long-term transformation?
4. We believe that evolving honest scenarios for the above would help us innovate positive new trends rather than
waiting for issues to emerge; positive trends that support low ecological footprints, promote peace and harmony,
while advancing inclusive prosperity.
5. Therefore, we expect the HLPF to take a proactive leadership and ensure that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development takes precedence over other development agenda’s that drive the world towards destruction and
disharmony. In other words, we must have one global agenda and supporting systems focused on achieving
sustainable development.
6. While Sri Lanka is committed towards the transformation, in a globalized world, no country alone can seek
transformation.
7. Hence, we would like to see the HLPF evolving into a proactive platform that can harness equity, solidarity and
coherence amongst all nations, stakeholders and all people.
Thank you!
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