Friday, 26 June 2026
Presenter: H.E.JayanthaJayasuriya
Location: New York
Statement delivered by H.E. Jayantha Jayasuriya during the high-level meeting on Right to Development at the United Nations, New York
23.09.2026
Thank you Madam Chair,
Distinguished Heads of State and Government,
Honourable Ministers,
Excellencies,
We convene here to commemorate the fortieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development, recognizing that development is an inalienable human right, belonging to all individuals, irrespective of nationality, background or circumstance.
Sri Lanka remains committed to pursuing the right to development, recognizing that it should be accompanied by equity and sustainability, from the individual-level to the international-level.
Madam President,
In 2022, Sri Lanka suffered a major economic crisis. While Sri Lanka has been recovering, the country was affected by Cyclone Ditwah. Furthermore, Sri Lanka is not immune to global pressures that has caused an impact on its development agenda. Nevertheless, Sri Lanka has persisted in its implementation of Right to Development at the national level. Sri Lanka stands equally invested in fostering development at the individual and community-levels. The Parliament of Sri Lanka currently holds the highest women representation in its history, creating more space for women and girls to be agents of change and leaders in our society. Moreover, based on our position that education is paramount in unlocking individual potential and fostering social mobilization, we have introduced reforms entitled “Transform Education, Transform Sri Lanka” to increase vocational pathways, produce a more dynamic economy, and facilitate development across our island, starting from the household-level.
Madam President,
As we near 2030, we must consider the progress we have made, and the way forward, in terms of the sustainable development goals, and whether our efforts remain aligned with the right to development.
Sri Lanka strongly supports the adoption of the International Covenant on the Right to Development as an important step towards translating the universally recognized right to development into a meaningful and effective legal framework, and will continue to engage constructively towards this objective.
I would like to conclude by emphasizing that the conditions for development do not arise in isolation; we have a responsibility as nations to work together in forums like these to commit to the right to development for all. We must reform the international financial architecture, work towards equitable access to concessional financing, encourage the sharing of technology, bridge the digital gap, and evolve our practices in line with an evolving world. Sri Lanka thus reiterates our support of the Sevilla Commitment, moving beyond GDP as a standalone measure of vulnerability, and our renewed optimism that the UN80 initiative will create a more effective and responsive UN that works in harmony with national priorities and frameworks.
I thank you.