Sri Lanka seeks deeper cooperation with France, EU as the country looks to strengthen partnerships in sustainable development, trade, investment, and climate-related initiatives while marking two decades of engagement by the French development agency Agence Française de Développement (AFD).
Sri Lanka seeks deeper cooperation with France, EU as AFD marks 20 years
The reaffirmation came during the 20th anniversary celebration of AFD’s presence in Sri Lanka, highlighting the long-standing collaboration between Sri Lanka, France, and the European Union in supporting economic growth, infrastructure development, and environmental resilience.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra attended the event alongside French Ambassador to Sri Lanka Rémi Lambert, European Union Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Carmen Moreno, and AFD Country Director for Sri Lanka Yazid Bensaïd. The gathering served as both a celebration of past achievements and a platform for discussing future areas of cooperation.
Addressing participants, Hemachandra reflected on the origins of AFD’s engagement in Sri Lanka, which began in the aftermath of the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. At a time when the country was focused on rebuilding communities, restoring infrastructure, and supporting affected populations, AFD emerged as an important development partner.
Over the past two decades, that relationship has evolved into a broader partnership encompassing a range of sectors critical to Sri Lanka’s long-term progress. Hemachandra noted that AFD has contributed significantly to initiatives involving water and sanitation, urban development, green energy, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
According to the Deputy Minister, these investments have delivered benefits beyond physical infrastructure by helping improve livelihoods, strengthen local communities, and enhance the country’s capacity to address future challenges. He emphasized that such projects play a key role in advancing sustainable development while supporting economic and social progress.
The anniversary celebration also underscored the growing importance of international cooperation as countries confront increasingly interconnected global challenges. Issues such as climate change, food security, water management, and environmental sustainability require collaborative approaches that bring together governments, development institutions, and international partners.
Hemachandra said Sri Lanka highly values partnerships that are practical, principled, and focused on long-term outcomes. He noted that development cooperation is becoming increasingly important as nations seek solutions that balance economic growth with environmental responsibility and social inclusion.
The Deputy Minister further outlined Sri Lanka’s interest in expanding cooperation with France and the European Union across several strategic areas. These include sustainable development, digital transformation, maritime cooperation, institutional strengthening, and innovation-driven economic growth.
Observers note that stronger engagement with European partners could help Sri Lanka access technical expertise, financing opportunities, and knowledge-sharing initiatives that support national development priorities. France and the EU have remained important development and trade partners for Sri Lanka, particularly in areas related to environmental protection, renewable energy, and governance reforms.
The role of climate action was also a key theme during the discussions. As Sri Lanka faces increasing exposure to climate-related risks, including extreme weather events, changing rainfall patterns, and coastal vulnerabilities, international partnerships are expected to play an important role in building resilience and supporting adaptation measures.
AFD’s involvement in green energy and climate-focused projects has contributed to Sri Lanka’s efforts to transition toward a more sustainable and environmentally resilient economy. Development experts point out that investments in climate action not only address environmental concerns but also create opportunities for economic diversification, job creation, and improved resource management.
The event highlighted how development cooperation has evolved from post-disaster recovery assistance into a broader strategic partnership focused on long-term transformation. As Sri Lanka continues to pursue economic recovery and modernization, partnerships with institutions such as AFD are expected to remain important in supporting infrastructure development, environmental sustainability, and institutional capacity building.
Reiterating the country’s commitment, Hemachandra expressed appreciation to the Government and people of France, the European Union, and AFD for their continued support over the past 20 years. He said Sri Lanka looks forward to further strengthening these relationships and exploring new opportunities for cooperation.
As Sri Lanka seeks deeper cooperation with France, EU, the government views the next phase of engagement as an opportunity to deliver more people-centered and impactful development outcomes. Officials hope future collaboration will help accelerate national priorities while contributing to broader goals related to sustainability, resilience, and inclusive economic growth.
With development challenges becoming increasingly complex and interconnected, the continued partnership between Sri Lanka, France, the European Union, and AFD is expected to play a meaningful role in shaping the country’s future development trajectory.