SL biz leaders join global CEOs, govts at UN PSF to mobilise capital for sustainable growth

Sri Lankan business leaders joined more than 50 global CEOs, government representatives and United Nations leaders at the 2025 UN Global Compact Private Sector Forum (PSF) in New York, convened on September 22, 2025, during the UN General Assembly.

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The high-level roundtable focused on mobilising private sector investment to close the global financing gap for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and accelerate inclusive, sustainable growth.

Representing Sri Lanka at this year’s Forum were:

» Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC CEO and Chairman and UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka Chairman Dilhan C. Fernando

» Dialog Axiata PLC Executive Director and Group Chief Executive and UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka Board Member Supun Weerasinghe

> UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka Executive Director Rathika de Silva

Together, they joined a distinguished group of leaders with a combined market capitalisation of more than US $ 2 trillion, reflecting Sri Lanka’s growing visibility within global sustainability dialogues.

A critical global gathering

Opening the forum, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted the urgency of accelerating progress on the 2030 Agenda, drawing attention to the global SDG financing gap, which now exceeds US $ 4 trillion annually. He emphasised the need for both governments and the private sector to redirect capital toward priority areas and to strengthen delivery on the existing commitments.