IPS Research Fellow Dr Pulasthi Amarasinghe highlights the need for stronger sectoral coordination to enhance climate change resilience and ensure nutritional security in agri-food systems

11 – 13 December 2024

IPS Research Fellow Dr Pulasthi Amarasinghe discussed the need to strengthen sectors such as education and health, along with disaster management authorities. He emphasised the importance of improving coordination among these key stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of disaster risk management strategies. Dr Amarasinghe made these remarks while speaking at the session on “Capacity Building on Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change Adaptation, and Mitigation” at the 15th South Asia Economic Summit on “Unleashing an Equitable Green Transformation in South Asia,” organised by South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics, and Environment (SAWTEE), Nepal. The summit was held in Kathmandu, Nepal, from 11th to 13th December 2024.

He also participated as a panellist in the session on “Climate-Resilient Agri Systems for Food Security,” where he highlighted the importance of prioritising nutritional security throughout agri-food systems. Dr Amarasinghe discussed the challenges currently faced by Sri Lanka, with climate variability significantly impacting major food items. He underscored the need to strengthen coordination between the agriculture, nutrition, and health sectors to ensure that nutritional security remains a priority despite frequent climate-related challenges.