Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe speaks during an interview. File photo

President Ranil Wickremesinghe of Sri Lanka emphasised the significance of the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28), considering it a turning point in the world's approach to climate change.

In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the sidelines of the conference, President Wickremesinghe stated that the importance of COP28 lies in being a platform for making final decisions on climate change and reaching agreements to propel global efforts forward. He added, "We should now do our best to get there."

He noted that the UAE, through hosting COP28, demonstrated its capability of "developing and also getting involved in resolving global issues".

"We are proposing an international climate change university that will do capacity building and research not merely on climate change but on the financing needed," President Wickremesinghe said.

He further explained that "Sri Lanka is promoting the tropical belt and start reinvesting in reforesting, in restoring the farms, the grasslands, the mangrove," to absorb larger carbon dioxide emissions globally.

The Sri Lankan President also highlighted the potential use of the tropical belt for generating renewable energy, especially given the vast potential of forests and mangrove areas worldwide.

He highlighted the importance of the Loss and Damage Fund, while reiterating, "We must decide the amount that is needed and how the commitments are to be made.”

President Wickremesinghe praised the significant efforts made by the UAE in the field of renewable energy, particularly solar energy, aiming to diversify energy sources.

He affirmed that the UAE and his country share long-term cooperative and friendly relations, expressing hope for further collaboration on different fronts. ]]>

WAM