During the discussion which followed the ceremony, the UNON Director General appreciated the active participation of Sri Lanka in both the UNEP and UN Habitat organizational programmes and activities, and in particular remarked that Sri Lanka was one of the lead countries in South Asia deeply committed to realize the objectives and targets of the UNEP.
The High Commissioner informed the Director General of UNON that Sri Lanka had co-sponsored four resolutions on the subjects of sustainable management for global health of mangroves, marine litter and micro-plastics, environmentally sound management of waste and promoting sustainable practices and innovative solutions for curbing food loss and waste during the Fourth Session of UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-4) held in 2019 and assured that Sri Lanka would continue to work together with member countries and the UNEP towards realizing the lofty goals under those resolutions to help the global community.
The Director General of UNON and the High Commissioner also shared views on the importance of the UN Global Campaign on Sustainable Nitrogen Management and recalled the meeting hosted by Sri Lanka with the support UNEP in Colombo in October 2019 which culminated in the adoption of Colombo Declaration on Sustainable Nitrogen Management with an ambition to halve nitrogen waste by 2030.
High Commissioner Kananathan thanked the Director General/UNON for arranging the Credentials ceremony well ahead of the forthcoming United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5) in February 2021 and assured her of Sri Lanka Mission's continued cooperation to further consolidate the relations with the UNON, UNEP and UN Habitat through advancing collaboration and involvement in all identified substantive areas of cooperation.
