The Ministry of Environment (MOE) through the Climate Change Secretariat (CCS), as the National Designated Authority (NDA) for the Green Climate Fund (GCF), nominated the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) to be its delivery partner for the implementation of the Sri Lanka NAP Readiness Support Project. The project was formally launched in November with the attendance of a diverse stakeholder cohort representing the nine vulnerable sectors considered by the NAP. Prominent guests included Dr. Sunimal Jayathunga, Additional Secretary (Environment Development), MoE, Prof. Buddhi Marambe, University of Peradeniya, and Dr. Frank Rijsberman, Director-General, GGGI joining online to provide the opening remarks.

This project aims to build the resilience of the most vulnerable sectors and communities in Sri Lanka to adverse effects of climate change by helping to bolster the adaptive capacity in these key sectors as well as in national and provincial level institutions. While providing support to further strengthen the national adaptation plan implementation process, the project would also facilitate technical and financial assistance to make these actions realistic at the ground level. The project outcomes and actions will:

• Strengthen national capacity to coordinate and guide the process of NAP Implementation
• Support Integration of climate change adaptation planning into the national planning system
• Build capacity of national and regional stakeholders to utilize climate data and tools for adaptation planning
• Empower vulnerable communities and sectors to respond to extreme events via research and knowledge sharing
• Support the scaling up of adaptation financing and resource mobilization
• Build capacity to monitor, report, and evaluate results on adaptation

Taking stage at the launch event, keynote speaker Prof. Buddhi Marambe further underscored the need for pro-active provincial government engagement in the NAP implementation and ensuring that adaptation activities are incorporated into provincial development plans. He further highlighted that a decisive factor in successful NAP implementation will be an integrated multi-sectoral involvement.

Stakeholder agencies agreed to provide their support for the timely implementation of the NAP Readiness project.