Human Rights, Climate Change, Trade Integration are key challenges - President tells Nikkei Forum

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has highlighted three major challenges facing Asia in his address at the Nikkei Forum on the Future of Asia in Tokyo. 

Wickremesinghe said democratic values and human rights, climate change, & trade integration are key challenges.

The President also emphasized the importance of respecting the diverse political systems and definitions of human rights across Asian countries.

FUTURE OF ASIA is an international gathering where political, economic, and academic leaders from the Asia-Pacific region offer their opinions frankly and freely on regional issues and the role of Asia in the world. 

Held by Nikkei every year since 1995, it is considered to be one of the most important global conferences in Asia.

In his address at the Nikkei Forum in Tokyo, President Wickremesinghe focussed on trade integration & debt sustainability and highlighted the risks faced by Asian countries.

The President emphasized the importance of upholding the rules-based multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core, rejecting economic coercion and decoupling.

Addressing the Nikkei Forum, President Wickremesinghe emphasized that Asian countries do not want to be forced to choose between big powers & highlighted the economic interdependence between ASEAN countries and China and expressed opposition to the bifurcation of Asia.

President Wickremesinghe, addressing the Nikkei Forum in Tokyo today, supported a cooperative approach by Japan and called for open-ended dialogues among Japan, China, India, and ASEAN, adding that it is crucial for the emergence of a peaceful and prosperous Asian region.

Addressing the Nikkei Forum President Wickremesinghe said, "A single Asian voice devoid of disharmony needs to be present at COP 28. The success of this conference will depend on the ability of the key Asian nations to come to an agreement."

"Sri Lanka welcomes the pledge made at the G7 Hiroshima Leader’s Communique to reject decoupling and its strategies in favour of economic resilience and economic security. To this end, the G7 has undertaken to engage in dialogue and follow a cooperative approach within the group as well as with global partners - including developing countries," said President Wickremesinghe, adding that it is appropriate that the rules-based multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core be upheld

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe held bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Japan on Thursday (25).

President Wickremesinghe expressed his appreciation for the support extended by Japan to Sri Lanka in recovering from the economic crisis, said the President's Media Division.

Earlir, President Ranil Wickremesinghe met former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

The President outlined the economic recovery in the country and invited Japanese investments to return to the country, said the President's Media Division.

The President will also meet the officials of the Japan-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship League, which is engaged in strengthening relations between the two countries, while promoting mutually beneficial cultural ties. 

During the visit, President Wickremesinghe also plans to engage with the Business Community during a Business Forum organized by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Tokyo, in collaboration with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and Japan-Sri Lanka Business Cooperation Council (JSLBCC), followed by a discussion with the Sri Lanka Business Council in Japan, to identify ways of enhancing trade and investment between Sri Lanka and Japan.