Former SAARC SG Esala Weerakoon calls for 'South Asian Climate Compact'

Ambassador (Retd.) Esala Weerakoon has observed that "it is time for us to consider a 'South Asian Climate Compact'-a renewed, collective commitment to safeguard our environment, protect our people, and uphold climate justice.

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Such a compact would reflect our shared vulnerabilities, our shared responsibilities, and our shared aspirations.

Ambassador Weerakoon, a former - Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and Foreign Secretary of Sri Lanka made this observation when he delivered Valedictory Remarks from the Regional Centre for Strategic Studies (RCSS) in Colombo, at the conclusion of the 9 day zoom based 'The Southasia Lectures' (SAL) series on the theme "Climate Policy and Climate Justice" which featured experts presenting the status of climate mitigation and adaptation in their respective country. An overview of the overall South Asian situation was held on the last day, 8 December 2025 - which fell on 'SAARC Charter Day' - the 40th Anniversary of the adoption of the SAARC Charter. The series was curated by Dr. Swarna Rajagopalan of Chiaitanya, the RCSS, with Himal Southasian and Sansristi, as outreach partners.