An initial stakeholder workshop organized by the Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Janathakshan GTE Ltd., and the Centre for Poverty Analysis (CEPA), was successfully held on the 14th and 15th of October 2025 at Citrus Waskaduwa.
This two-day residential workshop aimed to raise awareness among key national stakeholders on Sri Lanka’s upcoming biodiversity initiatives and to foster collaboration in shaping the country’s strategic direction for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
The event brought together over 140 participants, including representatives from government agencies, civil society organizations, and the private sector, reflecting the inclusive and multi-stakeholder approach that underpins Sri Lanka’s environmental policy framework.
The workshop primarily focused on three major documents currently under development:
- The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP)
- The Biodiversity Finance Plan (BFP)
- The 7th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
These key documents will serve as guiding frameworks for Sri Lanka’s biodiversity efforts over the next five years, providing strategic direction to achieve both national priorities and global biodiversity targets in line with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Participants engaged in group discussions and thematic sessions designed to enhance understanding of the methodologies proposed for developing these documents. CEPA contributed actively to the dialogue, offering insights and recommendations to strengthen the technical and participatory aspects of the process.
This workshop marks an important milestone in ensuring that Sri Lanka’s biodiversity policies are evidence-based, inclusive, and aligned with the country’s broader environmental sustainability agenda.
