Remarks by UN Resident Coordinator Marc-André Franche at the Forum on Promoting Inclusive and Sustainable Businesses for Sustainable Development in Sri Lanka

Distinguished guests, government representatives, and fellow stakeholders gathered here today in Colombo.

Good morning.

I am honored to address this esteemed audience, albeit virtually.

I want to express my gratitude to the Sustainable Development Council and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific for their unwavering commitment and partnership in developing a strategy to promote private sector action towards inclusive and sustainable development in Sri Lanka. My office is proud to have initiated and supported this important process.

As Sri Lanka embarks on a challenging journey of economic recovery, this forum is not just a moment for reflection but, more significantly, a moment to look ahead with hope and determination.

At the heart of our journey lies the private sector, a central force in our pursuit of economic diversification, innovation, and inclusive and sustainable growth. From the smallest micro-enterprises to the largest corporations, the private sector forms the backbone of Sri Lanka's socio-economic transformation.

At the heart of this transformation are Inclusive and Sustainable Businesses.

By consciously striving for positive community and environmental impacts, these business represent the very ethos of the future we aim to build.

These enterprises encompass a spectrum of practices, from green initiatives to models that uplift marginalized groups, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities.

We are already witnessing glimpses of the transformative power of inclusive and sustainable businesses in Sri Lanka: platforms that amplify their impact, cooperative networks that offer farmers unprecedented opportunities, and social enterprises that are the epitome of equitable employment and green practices.

Yet, as with any transformative journey, there are many challenges ahead of us. From limited access to capital and knowledge gaps in impact measurement, to the need for a robust legal framework, this is a path we must pave together.

Our goal is clear: Inclusive and sustainable business should not remain the exception but should become the rule in our economic landscape.

This means revitalizing an economic model that is not only competitive, export-oriented, and private sector-led, but one that directly addresses our national development challenges.

It includes fostering economic diversification, championing the blue-green economy, adopting technology-driven innovations, and ensuring a society that leaves no one behind.

It includes support for national and international certifications, ensuring our businesses meet global benchmarks;

Weaving sustainability into the fabric of our entrepreneurship narratives;

Strengthening public sector capacities for sustainable business development; and prioritizing better capital access tailored for businesses, ensuring their scalability.

Your presence today signifies not just collaboration but a shared vision.

I urge each one of us to seize this opportunity to listen, engage, and discuss insights and strategies for promoting inclusive and sustainable development, and transforming these into actionable steps to harness the immense potential of Sri Lankan business to address the pressing challenges that the country and the world are facing.

Thank you for you commitment and dedication.