November 18, 2016 Reading Time: 2 minutes
Mauritius may seek UN involvement over Chagos Islands dispute. Image Credit - vale_t / depositphotos
Reading Time: 2 min read
Minister of Foreign Affairs addresses UN Climate Change Conference
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mangala Samaraweera, has addressed the High Level Segment of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Marrakesh, Morocco.
The Minister affirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to the Paris Agreement to combat climate change and reported the measures taken by Sri Lanka to uphold its pledge. Minister Samaraweera also emphasised the need for ‘collective action’ to tackle climate change.
US promotes innovation and entrepreneurship in Sri Lanka
A Sri Lankan delegation, including representatives from six Sri Lankan universities, have completed a ten-day programme in the US that focused on expert exchanges in entrepreneurship and innovation. Leading US universities shared development strategies for technology incubators and technology transfer offices with the delegation.
The programme was conducted as a part of the US Embassy’s commitment to assisting Sri Lanka to develop a diversified economy capable of attracting foreign and domestic investment.
Speaker of Parliament appoints committee on 2030 Agenda
Speaker of the Parliament, Karu Jayasuriya, has appointed a select committee to provide recommendations on achieving the goals outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The committee was appointed under the chairmanship of Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Committees, Thilanga Sumathipala, and will include Members of Parliament.
ASEAN Defence Ministers meet in Laos
The 10th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) has taken place in Vientiane, Laos on 16 November. The conference aimed to strengthen communication and solidarity among member countries on regional security concerns.
During the meeting, the ADMM chairmanship was handed over from Laos to the Philippines, which will officially assume chairmanship of the 11th ADMM in 2017.
Prime Minister Abe meets President-elect Trump
The Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, has met with US President-elect, Donald Trump. The Japanese leader expressed his confidence in maintaining good relations with the US under Mr. Trump’s presidency. The meeting follows Japan expressing its concerns over the future of bilateral defence cooperation with the US.
Prime Minister Abe is the first head of state to meet with Mr. Trump, following his victory in the US presidential election.
Mauritius seeks UN involvement in Chagos Islands dispute
The Mauritian Prime Minister, Anerood Jugnauth, has criticised the British Foreign Office’s decision that would prevent previously-expelled residents of the Chagos Islands to return home. The Chagos Islands are a disputed territory between the UK and Mauritius. Prime Minister Jugnauth stated that Mauritius would be ‘fully justified’ in presenting the case to the UN General Assembly, as he regarded the UK’s actions to be in ‘breach of international law’.
The UK expelled native Chagossians from the islands in the 1960s and 1970s, to establish a US military base on the largest of the islands, Diego Garcia. The British Foreign Office cited the country’s ‘defence relationship’ with the US as reason for the controversial ruling.
24 Horton Place
Colombo 7
Sri Lanka
A think tank engaging in independent research of Sri Lanka’s international relations and strategic interests, to provide insights and recommendations that advance justice, peace, prosperity, and sustainability.
