The Pathfinder Foundation and the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue hosted the "Colombo Roundtable: Climate Change, Public Policy, and Humane Governance – March 2024

The Pathfinder Foundation and the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue hosted the "Colombo Roundtable: Climate Change, Public Policy, and Humane Governance" at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, focusing on pressing issues in maritime affairs and climate change within the Bay of Bengal region. The event was graced by Douglas Devananda, Minister of Fisheries, who delivered special remarks emphasizing the urgency of addressing environmental and maritime challenges in the region.

The round table served as a precursor to the upcoming fourth Bay of Bengal Maritime Dialogue, aiming to foster Dialogue on climate change's impact on maritime security and to develop confidence-building measures. Notable figures, including Mr. Hemant S. Katoch, Dr. Sreejith Sugunan, and Mr. CHU Weng Lam from the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, participated, bringing a wealth of knowledge on regional issues.

The event featured two-panel discussions. The first panel, moderated by Ambassador (Retd.) Ahmed A. Jawad delved into the humanitarian treatment of fishers and enhancing climate resilience in fishing communities. Panelists, including Prof. Wasantha Rathnayake and Ms. Rasanga Kumarihamy, presented their research findings. Dr. Steve Creech and Mr. Hashan Wijesinghe discussed technical solutions to the challenges in the fishing industry, including the Indo-Lanka fishing dispute.

The second panel, moderated by Dr. Sreejith Sugunan, tackled Maritime Crisis Management and Communications, with contributions from Amb. (Retd.) Sumith Nakandala, Admiral (Retd.) Y. N. Jayarathna, Ms. Dharshani Lahandapura, and Captain Prasad Vithanage. The discussion highlighted critical issues such as illegal fishing, environmental degradation, and the need for enhanced regional cooperation.

This roundtable marked a significant step towards collaborative solutions for maritime governance and climate change mitigation in the Bay of Bengal, setting the stage for continued Dialogue and action at the forthcoming maritime Dialogue in May 2024.