KOICA Pledges 65 million Dollars to Climate Change Mitigation in Sri Lanka

KOICA Pledges 65 million Dollars to Climate Change Mitigation in Sri Lanka by
launching their “Climate Change Response Programme” with the Goal of Contributing to Achieve Carbon Neutrality in Sri Lanka by 2050.

Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Government of Sri Lanka jointly
endorsed the KOICA’s Climate Change Response Programme (CCRP) on 11 th December.
KOICA has been developing CCRP in collaboration with the Korea Institute of Development
Strategy (KDS) since early 2024. The objective of CCRP is to ‘Promote the Transition to a
Low-Carbon Society in Sri Lanka through Innovative, Sustainable, and Circular Approaches
in Key Emission Reduction Sectors’. The launch event was graced by the participation of
dignitaries representing a multitude organization, both from Sri Lankan Government, Bi-
Lateral and Multi-Lateral Development partners.

The proposed CCRP phase 1 is covering 5 years from 2026-2030 with an indicative budget
worth 65 million USD. The CCRP is designed to effectively respond to Sri Lanka’s top
climate priorities, serving as a guiding framework for project development and design in
collaboration with the government. Additionally, it provides a platform for collaboration with
other donor agencies, ensuring alignment towards shared strategic goals in combating
climate change.

The KOICA and KDS teams have been engaging in a collaborative consultation process
involving the key stakeholders from multiple sectors related to the climate change avenue in
Sri Lanka. The team engaged the Sri Lankan Government at both high and working levels
during the programme development period by forming a Programme Management Steering
Committee and sector-wise Project Development Committees. KOICA also held discussions
with bilateral and multi-lateral international organizations who are active in the field to gauge
the current donor engagement.

The CCRP is in alignment with Sri Lanka’s current Climate Response Policies; Vision 2030,
NDCs, and Carbon Net Zero 2050. Due consideration has also been given to the global
trends in climate change when developing this programme. It identifies 3 main areas for
intervention in Sri Lanka, namely; Renewable Energy, Sustainable Transport, and E Waste
Management. Each sector’s current status major challenges have been detailed in the
concept note.

In its core, the team has modeled the programme around seeking solutions to 3 key
problems across the areas identified, namely; the insufficient legal policy and institutional

framework, limited knowledge and capacity in institutions and personnel, and lack of green
infrastructure, technology, and systems.

The programme goes on to elaborate further on the possible means of interventions within
KOICA’s implementation framework modalities including technical cooperation, grant
projects as well as possible private sector engagement.

During the launch, the Director Generals of the Departments of External Resources and
National Planning and the Country Director of the KOICA Sri Lanka Office, all endorsed the
programme.

Sharing her remarks, KOICA Country Director- Ms. KIM Myung Jin stated that “The world is
increasingly struggling with the impacts of rapid climate change, and Sri Lanka,
unfortunately is highly vulnerable to it in support of its mitigation, KOICA Sri Lanka
Office wants to undertake a pivotal role to mitigate climate crisis in Sri Lanka” The
Country director further remarked that they have supported Sri Lanka for 30 years and they
want to pledge another 30 years of support to Sri Lanka”

On behalf on the Government of Sri Lanka, The Additional Director General of the National
Planning Department Ms. Y.P Sumanawathi thanked KOICA for their continued support to
Sri Lanka. She also remarked that KOICA’s programme has identified crucial areas in the Sri
Lankan climate change sector and that their integrated approach in addressing mitigation is
exactly what Sri Lanka requires.

Representing the leading Development partner in the field Deputy Country Representative of
UNDP, Ms. Malin Herwig also addressed the gathering and remarked that they have
recognized Sri Lanka’s needs and assured continued collaboration to KOICA in the
implementation of the Climate Change Response Programme emphasizing that at the
implementation stage, they will be able to complement KOICA’s effort at a greater level.
The CCRP will be endorsed by the participants of the Programme Management Steering
Committee and will serve as the guidepost in KOICA’s aid to Sri Lanka in the upcoming
cycles.