NPC took Sri Lanka's experience in responding to climate change and disaster recovery to the regional stage when Executive Director Dr. Jehan Perera, board member Mrs. Visaka Dharmadasa and Senior Project Officer Arafaath Rahby participated in the Climate, Peace and Security Summit in Kathmandu, Nepal.
The summit, organised by the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) under the European Union funded Climate, Peace and Security (CLIMPSE) initiative, brought together government representatives, academics, civil society leaders and young peacebuilders from across South Asia to examine how climate change is affecting peace, security and development.
Addressing the conference and drawing from Sri Lanka’s experience following Cyclone Ditwah, Dr. Perera said that climate action needs to move from the margins to the centre of development planning. He stressed that successful climate adaptation depends on public trust, stronger community participation and making better use of existing local institutions rather than creating new structures.
Mrs. Visaka Dharmadasa chaired the session on Women, Peace and Security, which was organised with UN Women. She challenged the portrayal of women as passive victims of climate disasters, pointing out that women are often the first responders within their families and communities and should be recognised as leaders in disaster preparedness, recovery and peacebuilding.
Senior Project Officer Arafaath Rahby represented Sri Lanka's younger generation of peacebuilders at the Youth Workshop that preceded the summit. Together with youth representatives from across South Asia, he contributed to discussions on strengthening youth leadership and regional cooperation in responding to climate change.
The NPC delegation also shared findings from research undertaken jointly with the Regional Centre for Strategic Studies and partner organisations on the impact of Cyclone Ditwah on affected communities. The research highlighted the importance of community participation, secure livelihoods and public trust in strengthening resilience to future climate related disasters.
The summit concluded with a commitment to strengthen regional cooperation and ensure that the voices of communities, women and young people play a greater role in shaping climate action across South Asia.