Charting a Path Forward: Sri Lanka and the Pact for the Future

The United Nations in Sri Lanka marked United Nations Day 2024 at the UN Compound in Colombo, bringing together the Prime Minister, development partners, and civil society leaders to explore the recently adopted Pact for the Future.

The Pact, a key outcome of the Summit of the Future held in New York in September, is a recommitment to addressing critical global challenges, including climate change, peacebuilding, and sustainable development.

The event highlighted the Pact for the Future as a call to action, urging local stakeholders to take ownership of its vision and advance its key action points. Discussions centered around how Sri Lanka can leverage the Pact to strengthen its sustainable development efforts, enhance multilateral cooperation, and promote peace and security. 

UN Resident Coordinator Marc-André Franche emphasized the importance of multilateralism and collaboration: “In an increasingly polarized world, multilateralism remains our strongest tool. The Pact demonstrates that the international community can achieve broad agreements to act together. Today, all of us have the opportunity to own and champion this Pact for the Future.” 

In her remarks, the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya highlighted Sri Lanka’s long partnership with the United Nations and reaffirmed commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals: “As a new government, we are committed to addressing the structural challenges that have hindered Sri Lanka’s progress toward unity and sustainable development. We look to the United Nations as one of the key partners in our journey forward. Sri Lanka's success will also be a success for the UN, as we work toward building a more resilient, inclusive, and united future." 

The event featured a video presentation on the Pact for the Future, showcasing its key themes and the ways in which Sri Lanka can contribute to its global objectives, including achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, fostering digital transformation, and strengthening peacebuilding efforts.  

As Sri Lanka continues to navigate a period of political and economic transition, the Pact for the Future provides a framework to drive progress and ensure that the country can emerge stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive.