A global gathering in SL with a focus on food sovereignty and security

Sri Lanka will host the Third Nyéléni Global Forum from September 5 -14, 2025 at the National Institute of Cooperative Development (NICD), Polgolla, Kandy.

- By Ifham Nizam

For the first time since its inception in Mali, the Forum will move outside Africa, drawing over 600 delegates from more than 120 countries, including policymakers, academics, trade unionists, and global agriculture leaders. The agenda will feature, among other things, food security and sovereignty.

This high-profile gathering arrives at a critical juncture for Sri Lanka, as it attempts to restructure an economy battered by the 2022 sovereign default, inflationary spikes, and food insecurity. The government's reliance on agricultural imports — worth over USD 2.4 billion annually — has exposed vulnerabilities in supply chains, while currency depreciation has made basic staples increasingly unaffordable for millions.

Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector contributes 7.8% of GDP but employs nearly one in four workers, making it a cornerstone of the economy. Yet the country remains highly import-dependent for essentials, including wheat, pulses, sugar, and dairy.

According to Central Bank data, agricultural imports surged from USD 1.9 billion in 2019 to USD 2.7 billion in 2023, even as foreign reserves collapsed. During the peak of the 2022 crisis, food inflation skyrocketed to 94.9%, underscoring the dangers of relying on global markets for staples.