Sri Lanka seeks Asia-Pacific support for integrated climate action and blue carbon financing

Sri Lanka has called for stronger regional cooperation and financial support from Asia-Pacific countries for integrated climate action and blue carbon financing through shared frameworks. Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody said Sri Lanka expects support from all countries in the Asia-Pacific region through an integrated programme involving governments, academia, the private sector, and communities to promote sustainable development. He was speaking this morning (3) at a special session on “Regional Cooperation for Blue Carbon Financing to Accelerate Integrated Climate Action in the Asia and Pacific Region,” held in Bangkok, Thailand. The session was jointly organised by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the Landscape Alliance. The Deputy Minister highlighted that for island nations such as Sri Lanka, the ocean is not merely a boundary but a vital lifeline. He stressed the importance of blue carbon ecosystems in addressing the climate crisis and called for enhanced regional cooperation to maximise their potential. He noted that coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrass meadows, and salt marshes can absorb carbon at rates significantly higher than tropical rainforests and store it for centuries. He also pointed out that mangrove forests serve as natural barriers against rising sea levels and extreme weather events. Referring to the 2004 tsunami experience, he said mangroves can reduce wave energy and cyclone risk by around 66%. The statement added that Sri Lanka is already taking steps through its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs 3.0) and National Adaptation Plan to achieve net-zero targets and restore coastal ecosystems. As the host country of the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP) and through platforms such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), Sri Lanka continues to strengthen regional cooperation. The country is also contributing to mangrove mapping, carbon stock assessments, development of regional measurement methodologies, and knowledge sharing under South-South cooperation. Concluding his remarks, the Deputy Minister said protecting and investing in blue carbon ecosystems is a strategic necessity for the region’s socio-economic sustainability. He added that Sri Lanka looks forward to support from Asia-Pacific countries and partner organisations to work together through an integrated framework involving all key stakeholders. (Newswire)