Collaboration and Innovation Take Centre Stage at Sri Lanka Partnership Week 2023

Sri Lanka Partnership Week 2023 brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to promote collaboration, innovation, and sustainable development in Sri Lanka. The event, organized by the United Nations in Sri Lanka in partnership with The 2030 Agenda Partnership Accelerator, served as a platform to foster meaningful partnerships and explore avenues for economic growth, social progress, and environmental sustainability.

Bringing together key sectors such as government, civil society, the private sector, academia and UN agencies, the week-long event highlighted the importance of partnerships for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Sri Lanka and enhanced the collaborative capacity of national stakeholders.

"We need to walk and work together to create positive change to have any chance of achieving the SDGs. Sri Lanka Partnership Week is a unique opportunity to inspire us and showcase successful partnerships between different stakeholders in different areas. In these challenging times, partnerships have become more crucial than ever. They enable us to leverage our collective strengths, resources, and expertise to address complex issues and build resilient societies", said Christian Skoog, UN Resident Coordinator a.i.

The Partnership Week commenced with the Partnership Accelerator Forum, where stakeholders engaged in dialogue on the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships and collaboration to overcome current social and environmental challenges.

In his remarks at the Partnership Accelerator Forum, State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe emphasized the significance of partnerships in achieving a shared vision of prosperity and equity for all Sri Lankans.

"Mutual collaboration and engagement with the private sector, civil society, academia, international development partners and others are vital to address complex development challenges and achieve inclusive and sustainable development. We believe that partnerships are essential in achieving our shared vision for a more prosperous and equitable future for all Sri Lankans" - State Minister of Finance, Shehan Semasinghe remarked at the Partnership Accelerator Forum

One of the highlights of the forum was an engaging panel discussion featuring Mr. Firzan Hashim, Country Director of the Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management; Mr. Rathika De Silva, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka;  Ms. Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative of UNDP Sri Lanka; and Ms. Chamindry Saparamadu, Director General of the Sustainable Development Council; with a recorded contribution by Ms. Savithri Wijesekera, Executive Director of Women in Need. The panelists emphasized the need to build on past achievements and work towards a coordinated and impactful approach to development. The discussion also highlighted the significance of collaboration between public and private sectors to drive meaningful change, addressing environmental and social challenges while ensuring inclusive and equitable growth.

Throughout the week, training workshops focused on exploring opportunities for collaboration and partnership around sustainable development. Almost 50 participants from various sectors took part, gaining valuable insights and expertise. Additionally, a "Training of Trainers" workshop aimed to enhance participants' skills in organizing partnership trainings, enabling them to share partnership knowledge within their networks. The emphasis on capacity-building and knowledge-sharing further reinforced the collaborative spirit of Sri Lanka Partnership Week 2023.

The Partnership Week aligned with the United Nations' commitment to supporting Sri Lanka's efforts in achieving the SDGs through the implementation of the Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. Developed in consultation with partners, the Cooperation Framework serves as a roadmap for stakeholders to take concrete actions towards a sustainable and prosperous future for all Sri Lankans. The event reflected the UN's dedication to fostering inclusive, innovative, and collaborative approaches to sustainable development.

The forum concluded with Sarat Dash, IOM's Chief of Mission, highlighting the importance of inclusivity, innovation, and collaboration in achieving sustainable development. Dash expressed confidence in building upon successful partnership models discussed during the event, emphasizing the collective efforts required to create a sustainable and prosperous future for Sri Lanka.

The Partnership Week reflects the United Nations’ steadfast commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s efforts through the implementation of the Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework; a critical tool for accelerating progress towards the SDGs. The Cooperation Framework was developed by the United Nations in close consultation with partners and is aligned with Sri Lanka’s priorities. As such, it provides a roadmap for all stakeholders to take concrete actions that bring about sustainable and prosperous future for all Sri Lankans.