SAWDF President, Ms. Pramila Acharya Rijal attended the Fifth South Asia Forum on the Sustainable Development Goals (SAFS): Building back better from COVID-19 while accelerating the implementation of the SDGs in South and South-West Asia organized by UNESCAP and the Sustainable Development Council, Sri Lanka from 15th-17th November 2021. The main objective of the Forum was to foster deepened and shared understanding of member States and other stakeholders on the opportunities for accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda through inclusive dialogue and strengthened partnerships, as well as, to reflect sub-regional perspectives into the relevant regional and global processes.
Ms. Rijal attended the event as a moderator/panelist on SDG 5: Gender Equality. She discussed the challenges of accessing finance and highlighted the need for capacity building, addressing the gender gap in technology for strengthening and promoting women entrepreneurs in South Asia.
Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister, and Minister of Economic Policies and Plan Implementation, Sri Lanka inaugurated the event.
H.E. Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP, H.E. Mr. Esala Ruwan Weerakoon, Secretary-General of SAARC, H.E. Ms. Fathimath Niuma, Deputy Minister, Ministry of National Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure, Maldives, H.E. Dr. Biswo Nath Poudel, Vice-Chairman, National Planning Commission, Government of Nepal, H.E. Mr. Asad Umar, Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Pakistan delivered special remarks at the event.
Other speakers were Mr. Anusha Palpita, Secretary, Ministry of Economic Policies & Plan Implementation, Sri Lanka, Mr. Adnan Aliani, Officer-in-Charge, ESCAP South and South-West Asia Office, New Delhi, and Ms. Hanaa Singer-Hamdy, UN Resident Coordinator, Sri Lanka. Distinguished dignitaries and delegates from South Asia also graced the occasion.