Round table of Sri Lankan discourse on Green Belt and Road Initiative tomorrow
The Pathfinder Foundation (PF), taking pioneering effort in contributing to the Sri Lankan discourse on the Green Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) possibilities and challenges, invited the National Academy of Development and Strategy of Renmin University, a world-ranking university in China, to conduct a joint round table conference in collaboration with the Postgraduate Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Peradeniya.
This round table conference is scheduled to be held at the University of Peradeniya, tomorrow. University of Peradeniya Vice Chancellor Prof. Upul Dissanayke will deliver the keynotes speech of the conference.
Sri Lanka is a first signatory of the BRI, which is in the process of implementing a few landmark infrastructure and connectivity facilitating projects. Of these initiatives, Colombo International Financial City (Colombo Port City) and the Hambantota port and associated industrial zone project are expected to generate a transformational impact on the island’s economy.
Notwithstanding such potential of the Bri-related projects globally, the Chinese authorities, as well as the project implementing in countries along the Belt and Road are increasing paying attention to the newly emerging Greening BRI Initiative, conceptualized and implemented by the major stakeholders at the round table.
The Renmin University is represented by Professor Shi Yinhong, School of International Studies, Consultant at the State Council of China Professor Xu Qinhua, Vice Dean, National Academy of Development and Strategy Dr. Wangke, Deputy Director at Belt and Road Research Centre, National Academy of Development and Strategy and Zhao Haotian, at Centre for International Energy and Environment Strategy Studies.
The themes of their presentations include the Strategic Projection of China-sri Lanka Relations and the Belt and Road Green Development: Emphasis and Approach.
Dr. Ying, Associate Director of the China-sri Lanka Cooperation Studies Centre of the Pathfinder Foundation, will deliver a speech on environmental laws and regulations in China and the BRI.
The round table is to be attended by a few Sri Lankan renowned environment and development experts, including University of Peradeniya Faculty of Arts Dean Prof. O.G. Dayaratne Banda, Prof. Ananda Jayawickrama, Dr. Charitha Herath, Dr. Sisira Pinnawala, Prof. Hemanthi Ranasinghe, Dr. Shameen Jinadasa and W.A.D.D. Wijesooriya.
On invitation of the PF, Sri Lankan experts will focus their presentations on contextualizing the BRI: The changing global picture and the regional dynamics, balancing between economic growth and environmental impact of development under MSR: opportunities and challenges, environmental sustainability and development: lessons from the Belt and Road Initiative in Sri Lanka, environmental sustainability of Colombo Port City development project, Sri Lanka’s environmental policies, regulations and practices and green technology and international collaboration: Sri Lanka China experience.