Sri Lankan business leaders participate in 2025 UN Private Sector Forum

ON the invitation of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, three representatives from UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka (Network Sri Lanka) participated yesterday in the 2025 United Nations Private Sector Forum (PSF), a high-level roundtable that brings together a select group of global private sector leaders to drive forward sustainable economic growth, held as a high-level convening during UN General Assembly Week in New York.

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Representing Sri Lanka at this year's Forum are Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC Chairman/CEO and Network Sri Lanka Chairman Dilhan C. Fernando. Dialog Axiata PLC Executive Director/Group CEO and Network Sri Lanka Board Member Supun Weerasinghe, and Network Sri Lanka Executive Director Rathika de Silva.

They joined a distinguished group of 50 global corporate CEOs, Government leaders, UN Principals, and the UN Secretary-General in New York yesterday to discuss how private sector finance and investments can be mobilised for sustainable, inclusive growth.

A critical year for collective action

The 2025 UN Private Sector Forum takes place at a pivotal moment for the world economy and the global development agenda. The year 2025 marks 10 years since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, when world leaders pledged to ensure the rights and well-being of people everywhere on a thriving planet. It also marks 25 years since the late UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan called on businesses to join forces with Governments and civil society through the UN Global Compact, sparking a movement towards more ethical and inclusive markets.

This year is also significant as it will see a series of major international milestones, including the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development, the Food Systems Summit, the World Social Summit, and COP30. Each of these processes spotlights the urgency of forging stronger partnerships between the private sector and multilateral institutions to achieve a just transition and ensure long-term economic resilience.